In the pre-dawn hours of Sunday, August 24, 2025, the quiet of a Baton Rouge morning was shattered by gunfire in the 3400 block of Plank Road, near Calumet Street. The Baton Rouge Police Department (BRPD) responded to a chilling scene just before 4 a.m., where they discovered 36-year-old Jonique Brown, a vibrant woman whose life was tragically cut short. Struck multiple times by bullets, Brown was pronounced dead at the scene despite desperate efforts by emergency medical crews to save her.
The chaos that led to this devastating loss began with a large fight that erupted in the area, police say. What started as a heated confrontation quickly spiraled into a deadly exchange of gunfire, with multiple individuals drawing weapons and opening fire. In the midst of this violent outbreak, Jonique Brown became an unintended victim, caught in the crossfire of a conflict that turned a city street into a battleground.
As of now, the BRPD has yet to identify any suspects, leaving the community grappling with questions and a sense of unease. The investigation is ongoing, with detectives working tirelessly to piece together the events that led to this senseless act of violence. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward, offering anonymity and the possibility of a cash reward through Capital Region Crime Stoppers at (225) 344-7867.
This heartbreaking incident was not an isolated event that Sunday morning. Baton Rouge police reported a string of shootings across the city, with at least five separate incidents leaving one dead and several others injured. While investigators have not yet determined if these events are connected, the surge of violence has cast a somber shadow over the capital city, highlighting the urgent need for answers and action.
Jonique Brown’s death is a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the devastating impact of unchecked conflict. As Baton Rouge mourns, the community waits for justice, hoping that those responsible will be brought to account and that peace can be restored to its streets.