BATON ROUGE, La. — Baton Rouge Police are investigating a homicide after a man was found shot to death behind a local business early Friday morning.
Authorities confirmed the victim as 25-year-old James Lee Critney, who was discovered shortly after dawn in the rear lot of a business located along one of the city’s busy commercial corridors. Officers responded to a report of a possible shooting around 7 a.m., and upon arrival, they located Critney suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency personnel.
Police said the discovery prompted an immediate investigation, with crime scene tape blocking off the area as detectives and crime scene technicians worked to collect evidence. Investigators spent much of the morning interviewing potential witnesses, canvassing nearby businesses, and reviewing surveillance footage in hopes of piecing together the circumstances surrounding Critney’s death.
As of Friday afternoon, detectives had not released information regarding a potential suspect or motive. Authorities have also not disclosed whether they believe Critney was targeted or if the shooting may have been random.
Family members and friends of Critney, stunned by the news, described him as a young man with his whole life ahead of him. Loved ones said he was well-known in his community and are now calling for justice in the wake of his untimely death.
The East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner’s Office will conduct an autopsy to determine the official cause and manner of death, though investigators confirmed the preliminary findings point to fatal gunshot wounds.
Police are urging anyone with information to come forward. Community members can contact the Baton Rouge Police Department’s Homicide Division directly or leave an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at (225) 344-7867. Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward if the information leads to an arrest.
This killing marks yet another act of gun violence in Baton Rouge, a city that has struggled with rising homicide rates in recent years. Local leaders continue to call for stronger community partnerships to curb violent crime and to provide more resources for at-risk youth in hopes of preventing tragedies like this one.
