Baton Rouge: 14 yr old kills a Grandmother over stolen vehicle near Plank Road

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BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - The grandmother who was shot to death by a teenager in Baton Rouge earlier this month was chasing after her daughter’s stolen car at the time, police said Tuesday.

The victim’s 8-year-old grandson was with her and witnessed his grandmother being shot and killed, detectives said.

The Baton Rouge Police Department says a 14-year-old boy confessed to the killing. The teen did not know the victim, police said.

Police said Tuesday they are still searching for at least two others believed to have been inside the stolen car when the shooting occurred in broad daylight on Plank Road earlier this month.

Police say the victim, 48-year-old Latasha Thomas, was driving back from running errands on January 19 when she spotted someone driving the stolen car with several passengers inside.

Thomas called 911 to report that she was behind the stolen vehicle as she continued to follow it.

Police say the 14-year-old then got out of the stolen vehicle, walked back to the vehicle Thomas was in, and shot her in cold blood.

Police say the teenager then went home and told his mother what happened. She took the teen to BRPD’s First District Precinct where he turned himself in, police said.

He was charged with second-degree murder and illegal use of a weapon. Because of his age, his name has not been released.

The stolen vehicle was later recovered but had been set on fire, detectives said.

”This tragedy has left us not only mourning the loss of a beautiful soul but also grappling with anger, confusion, and deep sadness,” the victim’s daughter, Beyonce Thomas said. She said her mother “loved spending her time cooking and being creative and making arts and crafts. To see her life taken in such a violent way is something we cannot come to terms with.”

The victim’s family has set up a GoFundMe account to assist with funeral expenses.

“We are now asking for your support,” Beyonce Thomas said on the GoFundMe page. “As a family, we want to give Tasha the proper homegoing she deserves, but the unexpected expenses for funeral arrangements have been overwhelming. Even if you cannot donate anything at this time, please keep our family and her friends in your prayers. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping us care for her as we prepare to say our final goodbye.”

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Absolutely heartbreaking for the family and to think the poor 8 year old grandson had to witness the cold blooded murder is absolutely terrible. I know I am beating a very dead horse, but certain communities have to do a much better job with their young kids and some difficult conversations with hard truths need to be had. I mean a frickin 14 year old who should have his arse in school instead, learning and growing to be a young man, murders a woman over a stolen vehicle...sickening. This isn't shocking for Baton Rouge and of course for the location of the shooting.