Suspect indicted in Baton Rouge shooting that left teen dead

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — A suspect accused of shooting a Baton Rouge teen was formally charged Thursday.

Jeremiah Howze, 18, was indicted by a grand jury on charges of obstruction of justice, second-degree murder and handling a firearm/machine gun.

In December 2024, deputies responded to a shooting on Old Hammond Highway. They found a male victim in a car with gunshot wounds. The victim, identified as Kyle Earthly, 18, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Further investigation revealed that Earthly pulled into a gas station parking lot. Shortly after, surveillance footage showed someone getting out of the vehicle and walking away. During the shooting, the car was still in drive and crossed four lanes of traffic until it hit a curb.

Detectives learned that Earthly was last seen with “Jeremiah.” Footage showed the suspect entering and exiting the store. The suspect’s description led deputies to identify the suspect as Howze. More details uncovered that Earthly’s car picked up Howze before he was shot.

Howze was arrested and booked in the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison, with a bail set at $150,000. He was later released on bond in January 2025.

In April, a judge ruled that Howze would remain in custody until at least May 12, unless indicted by a grand jury on May 1.

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