Police say the accused gunman, described by witnesses as a juvenile, has not been arrested.
BATON ROUGE, La. — A 19-year-old man has been charged as a principal in the July 2025 shooting death of Michael Anderson, a 67-year-old Baton Rouge man killed while sitting on a Highland Road porch, police said.
Jeremiah Turner faces a charge of principal to second-degree murder after Baton Rouge police said he drove another person to and from Anderson’s home before and after the shooting. The arrest marks the first publicly announced charge in the case, but police said the person accused of firing the fatal shot remains at large.
The shooting happened about 7:15 p.m. July 15 in the 2400 block of Highland Road, near East Buchanan Street. Police said Anderson was sitting on a porch when someone opened fire just before sunset. Officers were called to the area for a shooting with injuries and found Anderson wounded. He was taken to a hospital in critical condition and later died from his injuries. Investigators said early in the case that the shooting appeared to be targeted, but they did not release a motive. Lt. L’Jean McKneely of the Baton Rouge Police Department later said detectives had gathered enough evidence to arrest Turner for his alleged role in the killing.
Police said witnesses described the shooter as a juvenile who fled the scene on foot after Anderson was shot. Turner is accused of picking up that person after the shooting and of having driven the person to the area before it happened. Authorities have not publicly identified the alleged shooter, announced an arrest of that person or said whether they believe Anderson knew the people involved. McKneely said investigators are still trying to build the case against the suspected gunman. “We need evidence, we need eyewitness testimony,” McKneely said. Police have not said what physical evidence, surveillance video or witness statements led them to Turner.
Turner was arrested Friday, April 17, police said. He was booked on the principal to second-degree murder charge in Anderson’s death. Under Louisiana law, a person can be treated as a principal if prosecutors allege the person helped commit a crime, even if that person did not directly carry out the act. The second-degree murder statute covers killings tied to specific intent to kill or inflict great bodily harm, among other circumstances. Police also listed Turner’s prior arrest history, including vehicle burglaries in several parishes, theft of a motor vehicle, second-degree battery, firearm-related allegations and taking contraband to and from a penal institution. Those prior matters are separate from the homicide charge.
The case left Anderson’s family and neighbors waiting months for answers. Asia Anderson, his daughter, said the arrest brought some relief because detectives had continued working on her father’s case. “I’m just grateful they didn’t give up on him,” she said. She also said her family still wants to know why her father was killed. Friends and neighbors described Anderson as someone people in the area counted on. Aareon Clark, a friend, said Anderson was the kind of person neighbors could ask for help. “You could go to him for just about anything,” Clark said. She said the killing changed how safe some people felt around the block.
The shooting drew concern because it happened in the evening on a visible stretch of Highland Road, with other people nearby. McKneely called the attack bold and said daytime and early-evening shootings showed how willing some shooters had become to act in public spaces. After Anderson’s death, Michael Dright, a program coordinator with East Baton Rouge Parish’s community street team, said workers were canvassing the area and speaking with residents. He said the team tries to learn what happened and help residents feel safe enough to share information with investigators. Police have not said whether that canvassing produced a lead in the case.
The next steps remain with homicide detectives and prosecutors. Police said they are still seeking enough evidence to arrest the person they believe fired the shot that killed Anderson. Prosecutors would have to review the evidence against Turner and decide how to proceed in court. As of the latest public reports, no court date, indictment or plea had been announced. The suspected shooter’s age could affect how the case moves if that person is arrested, but police have not released enough information to show whether the case would begin in juvenile or adult court.
Anderson’s family is now watching for a second arrest. Police have said Turner is accused of driving the shooter, not firing the weapon. The investigation remains open nearly nine months after the Highland Road killing, with detectives focused on identifying and arresting the person accused of pulling the trigger.
Author note: Last updated Friday, April 24, 2026.