Suspect Indicted on Murder Charges in Mall of Louisiana Shooting That Killed Teenager

A grand jury indicted Markel Lee, 18, on August 19 on one count of second-degree murder, six counts of attempted second-degree murder, and one count of illegal use of a weapon in connection with an April shooting at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge. The shooting killed 17-year-old high school senior Martha Odom and left several other people injured.

Authorities say the shooting began as a confrontation between two groups inside the mall before gunfire broke out, sending shoppers fleeing and prompting a lockdown of the property. Lee was arrested the day after the shooting and initially faced first-degree murder and related charges, which were revised following the grand jury's review of the evidence.

Lee pleaded not guilty to all charges following the indictment. His bond has been set at $1.35 million, and the court is scheduled to reconvene on November 4 to consider a possible bond modification as the case proceeds toward trial. The shooting renewed local debate over security measures at the mall, which had previously experienced other incidents of violence among large groups of teenagers gathering on weekends.