17-year-old arrested, charged in shooting, robbery near Baton Rouge smoke shop

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — The Baton Rouge Police Department arrested a 17-year-old in connection with a robbery and shooting that happened near a smoke shop. 

Officials said Javen LeBlanc of Port Allen was charged with one count each of attempted first-degree murder and armed robbery.

Officers responded to the 2200 block of North Foster Drive around 8:30 p.m. Jan. 16 for a reported attempted robbery and shooting. When officers got to the scene, they were told that the victim had been taken to the hospital by personal vehicle.

Video from cameras near the scene showed five suspects parked on the side of a building in the 5000 block of Adams Avenue in a blue Honda Accord. Investigators said the suspects were at the scene for 30 minutes before the robbery, as they waited for the victim to arrive.

According to an affidavit, the victim was meeting one of the suspects to buy marijuana with $950 after they had spoken on the phone. When the victim got to the location, one of the suspects reportedly came to the car without marijuana, according to an arrest report.

Police said the victim attempted to leave, and that’s when three other male suspects came from behind the business and tried to get in the victim’s car. The victim told police that one of the suspects said, “You know what time it is,” before the shooting. Three suspects reportedly fired shots, injuring the victim in the chest and both thighs.

In February, photos were given to Crime Stoppers in hopes of identifying the suspects.

Later in March, the West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office received an anonymous tip from someone stating that they could confirm one of the suspects was Leblanc.

Louisiana First News has asked BRPD about the remaining suspects.

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