Baton Rouge — A quiet Tuesday evening on North Street ended in tragedy when 36‑year‑old Timothy Elbert was shot and killed on Jan. 27, police say. The Baton Rouge Police Department responded just before 6 p.m. after someone reported a victim lying in the roadway near the 2500 block of North Street, close to N. 25th Street. Officers discovered Elbert with at least one gunshot wound and immediately called for emergency medical help.
Paramedics worked at the scene before rushing Elbert to a nearby hospital. Despite their efforts, he later died from his injuries, leaving behind family and friends struggling to understand what happened. The loss is the latest in a string of violent incidents that have shaken parts of Baton Rouge in recent weeks, and it has residents once again confronting the sudden fragility of life in their community.
Police have not yet released details about a suspect or a motive. Detectives from the BRPD’s violent crimes unit are piecing together evidence and interviewing witnesses, but so far investigators are keeping key details close to the vest as the case unfolds. Officials told reporters there’s no known ongoing threat to the public, but they urged anyone with information to come forward.
Neighbors in the area said they saw patrol cars and flashing lights soon after the shooting and watched officers cordon off the street to collect evidence. It’s a scene that’s become all too familiar for some in Baton Rouge, where multiple shootings have been reported in recent days and weeks, prompting conversations about safety and community well‑being.
Police are asking residents with even small pieces of information — a dashcam video clip, unusual movements that evening, or a passing conversation overheard — to contact the BRPD at (225) 389‑4869 or Crime Stoppers at (225) 344‑7867. Officials said even seemingly minor details can sometimes unlock critical parts of an investigation.
For many living nearby, the news has stirred anxiety and concern. Some residents described feeling unsettled in a neighborhood they once considered calm. Local leaders and community groups have stepped forward to remind people to look out for each other and report suspicious activity promptly, while also offering support for those affected by the loss.
Elbert’s death is a stark reminder that violence can strike without warning. As detectives work, neighbors are left grappling with grief and the very real questions of how to protect their streets and keep their families safe. Baton Rouge police say they will share more information as the investigation progresses.
