BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – The Baton Rouge Police Department has launched a homicide investigation following the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Victor LaPharaohs on the afternoon of Monday, June 30, 2025, in the Scotlandville neighborhood. The shooting occurred around 3:15 p.m. in the 9900 block of Avenue J near Woodpecker Street, leaving family members devastated and the community in shock.
When officers arrived at the scene, they discovered Victor LaPharaohs dead in a parking lot of a housing complex, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. A young father and hardworking Amazon employee, Victor was known for his loyalty to family, his infectious sense of humor, and his deep love for his 2-year-old daughter.
“My Baby Was a Good Child”
Victor’s mother, Victoria London, identified her son at the scene and spoke through heartbreak as she shared her pain with local news outlets.
“They wrong for taking my baby like that. My baby was a good child. Didn’t bother nobody,” London said, visibly distraught.
In a devastating revelation, London added that two of the individuals who are now in police custody had been at her house just hours before the shooting. She explained that these individuals had picked Victor up shortly before he was killed.
“They picked him up from the house to set him up,” she said. “For one, they came and got him — people he knew. That’s the part that hurts the most.”
Investigation and Search for Answers
While police confirmed that three people were taken into custody, they have not yet released their names or said if formal charges have been filed. A Honda Accord was towed from the scene, though its direct connection to Victor’s murder remains unconfirmed.
According to authorities, detectives are reviewing security footage obtained from the area and are actively pursuing leads. They are urging residents who may have seen or heard anything to come forward.
Deputy Chief William Clarida emphasized the value of community involvement in these types of investigations.
“This neighborhood usually has a lot of good information,” Clarida said. “They’re usually some of the best sources for us to help solve these types of things.”
A Young Life Remembered
Victor LaPharaohs leaves behind a grieving family and a community mourning the loss of a young man described as joyful, dedicated, and kind-hearted. His mother said he worked hard every day and lived for his daughter.
“All he did was work. He worked at Amazon and lived for his baby,” said London. “He made everybody laugh. Everybody loved him.”
Victor’s untimely death is not just a statistic — it’s a painful reminder of how deeply gun violence can impact families, neighborhoods, and futures.
As his loved ones prepare to lay him to rest, they are also calling for accountability and answers. Justice for Victor LaPharaohs is not just a plea — it is a demand from a mother, a daughter, and an entire community who refuse to let his memory be forgotten.
Anyone with information that could help investigators is urged to contact the Baton Rouge Police Department or Crime Stoppers at (225) 344-7867. Calls can remain anonymous.