Baton Rouge, LA -Another promising life has been stolen, and yet another family is left reeling from heartbreak. Zachary Lewis, a 23-year-old with dreams of building a future in the automotive trade, was shot and killed in Baton Rouge on Sunday afternoon — the latest victim in a city still grappling with the scourge of gun violence.
A Promising Life Cut Short
What should have been an ordinary summer day turned into a nightmare near the 4100 block of Mohican Street. Baton Rouge Police responded to reports of gunfire around 2:30 p.m. on August 3. When they arrived, they found Lewis suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite urgent efforts from medics and trauma doctors, Zachary Lewis was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital.
Investigators believe the shooting was targeted, though a motive has yet to be confirmed. No suspects have been identified, and police continue to urge the public to come forward with any information that may lead to answers.
A Family Devastated
In the hours following the tragedy, grief cast a heavy shadow over the neighborhood as family, friends, and neighbors gathered to light candles and share memories of the young man they called “Zach.” His mother stood quietly by the growing memorial, tears in her eyes as others comforted her — a mother’s world shattered in an instant.
“He was the kind of person who could make you laugh on your worst day,” a cousin said through sobs. “He had big dreams. He wanted to open his own shop one day. He didn’t deserve this. None of this.”
An Entire Community Hurting
As tributes poured in on social media, so too did frustration and fear. Community leaders and local advocates say they are heartbroken but not shocked — this tragedy is one of too many.
“We’ve lost too many Zachs,” said a local youth mentor. “Bright, talented, kind-hearted young people who just needed a chance to grow old. It hurts every time, and it keeps happening.”
A Call for Justice — and Change
The Baton Rouge Police Department’s Homicide Division continues to investigate and is calling on witnesses or anyone with surveillance footage to step forward. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at (225) 344-STOP. A cash reward may be offered for information leading to an arrest.
But those who knew Zach say justice is only part of what they’re seeking.
“We don’t just want someone locked up,” said a childhood friend. “We want this to stop. We want people to care before another family has to go through this. Zach wasn’t a statistic — he was our brother.”
Gone Too Soon, Never Forgotten
Zachary Lewis was more than a victim of violence. He was a son, a cousin, a friend, a dreamer. He was funny, thoughtful, determined. He had plans, and he was working hard to make them real. Now, his family must find a way to carry on — holding onto memories and hoping that somehow, through justice and change, his death will not be in vain.
His watch is over far too soon. But those who loved him will carry his memory forward — in every turn of a wrench, every shared laugh, and every fight to make their community safer.
Rest in peace, Zachary Lewis. You were loved. You mattered. You are missed.