For Ed, "Child hit, killed during police chase in Baton Rouge Wednesday"

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Child hit, killed during police chase in Baton Rouge Wednesday

May 31, 2017 in Top Story

Source: WBRZ

By: WBRZ staff

 

BATON ROUGE – Crime scene investigators from various agencies mixed with family and friends of a deceased child at the scene of a bizarre and tragic crime Wednesday evening.

By nightfall, detectives were still piecing together the sequence of events that left the 12-year-old lifeless across Old Hammond Highway. Work putting everything together will likely last well into Thursday morning, and will be the responsibility of State Police.

The child died after being hit by a suspect, fleeing from Baton Rouge Police working a drug sting. Around 5:30 Wednesday evening, the child was killed when a car driven by an unnamed suspect drove down Old Hammond Highway in an attempt to evade authorities after being shot by the officers elsewhere. The child was hit, sources said, walking home from a nearby YMCA and died almost in front of his home at the corner of Gloria Drive and Old Hammond.

Neighbors identified the child as “Sammie” and was known around the area as a good kid, one they said was an all around good boy.  Thursday morning, the coroner identified the child as Samuel Lee III.

“He was a wonderful child… he did not deserve this,” neighbor Brenda Whittenberg told WBRZ News 2.

Family of the child met with authorities at the crime scene.

The suspect stopped after running the child over and a witness said the man got out of the car covered in blood, likely from the gunshot wound received when he was shot by police at the beginning of the chase. The suspect was taken to a hospital and will survive. Possible charges have not been released.

While the investigation has been turned over to troopers, the Baton Rouge Police Department issued a statement late Wednesday.

“...In the midst of the investigation, we feel we should acknowledge the tragedy in which a child lost his life as a result of the suspects actions. Our heart goes out to the family at this difficult time,” Chief Carl Dabadie said in a statement.

Dabadie said he is confident in the job State Police will do reviewing the case going forward.

Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome's office released this statement late Wednesday night: 

"This series of events that took place earlier this evening are currently being investigated by the Louisiana State Police. Unfortunately, a child tragically lost his life. I ask that the community join me in surrounding the family with prayers tonight."

Old Hammond Highway west of O'Neal was closed all Wednesday evening and will remain closed overnight and likely into early Thursday morning.

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