“Nobody’s Exempt”: State Representative’s Grandson Killed in Baton Rouge Shooting Amid Gun Violence Crisis

BATON ROUGE, La. — The tragic killing of D’Shawn Brown, the 22-year-old grandson of state representative and community leader C. Denise Marcelle has brought the devastating impact of gun violence in Baton Rouge to her doorstep. Brown was fatally shot on January 20 in the parking lot of a McDonald’s at Airline Highway and Prescott Road, just minutes after leaving his grandmother’s home.

Brown’s death is a sobering reminder of a gun violence epidemic that continues to claim lives in Baton Rouge, a city that has already recorded nine homicides just weeks into 2025.

Marcelle, who has spent decades advocating for safer communities, said she never imagined her own family would become part of the statistics she has fought to reduce.

“He was at my house at three, and he was dead by four,” Marcelle said. “I’ve stood with families in their pain. I’ve prayed at crime scenes and spoken against this violence for years. But now, I know nobody’s exempt—nobody.”

Brown’s death not only robs a family of a beloved son, brother, and father but leaves behind a four-year-old son who will now grow up without his dad.

The staff and team at The Baton Rouge Weekly Press extend their deepest condolences to Representative Marcelle and her family during this difficult time.

A Call for Action
Marcelle’s grief has transformed into a renewed call for action against the gun violence plaguing Baton Rouge and cities across the nation. She urges lawmakers, community leaders, and citizens to push for change, starting with stronger gun laws and greater accountability for gun owners.

“D’Shawn didn’t deserve to die like this, and neither do the countless others who have fallen victim to senseless shootings,” Marcelle said. “We need to be outraged—every single one of us. We cannot normalize this level of violence.”

Marcelle believes that comprehensive solutions must address not only gun access but also systemic issues contributing to violence, such as poverty, lack of mental health resources, and community disengagement.

“Too many guns are on these streets, and too many lives are being destroyed because we haven’t done enough to stop it,” she said.

The Human Toll
Brown’s killing has cast a shadow over a family known for its dedication to service and community. Brown and Marcelle shared a birthday, and their close bond was often a source of joy for the family, who affectionately joked they were “twins.”

Now, Marcelle joins the countless families who have had to bury loved ones because of gun violence—a pain she describes as unimaginable.

“I’ve always tried to protect my children and grandchildren from this, but you learn that no matter how hard you try, it can happen to anyone. This violence knows no boundaries,” she said.

A Crisis That Demands Outrage
East Baton Rouge Parish, like many parts of the country, is grappling with a gun violence crisis that seems to worsen each year. The loss of young lives, many with families and futures ahead of them, has become tragically routine.

Marcelle is adamant that change requires collective outrage and sustained action.

“This is a call to our community, our leaders, our nation. We cannot stand by and let this continue,” she said. “Every life lost is a future stolen. We have to ask ourselves—how many more lives will it take before we say enough is enough?”

Ongoing Investigation
The Baton Rouge Police Department is still investigating Brown’s killing, and no arrests have been made. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward by contacting BRPD or Crime Stoppers at https://crimestoppers225.com/

As Baton Rouge mourns yet another young life lost, Marcelle’s voice, once an advocate for others, now speaks from a place of profound personal loss—a voice demanding justice, accountability, and an end to the violence tearing families apart.