BRPD: Killings appear connected

• By KIMBERLY VETTER
• Advocate staff writer
• Published: Nov 18, 2008 - Page: 1A - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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At least five people — including a bystander — have been killed and others have been wounded since late October in a string of north Baton Rouge shootings police say could be linked.

More people could be killed or hurt if police don’t receive information from the community regarding the shootings, police spokesman Cpl. L’Jean McKneely said Monday.

“There are people on the run and witnesses aren’t talking,” he said. “We need the community’s help.”

The motive for the shootings has not been determined, McKneely said. Police are hearing three to four reasons for the violence and are trying to determine whether one of them is true, McKneely said.

The most recent shooting police are seeking information about occurred Saturday night at Ted’s Barbershop, 2701 N. Acadian Thruway East, McKneely said.

Warrie Rowley, 33, 684 N. 38th St., was shot multiple times about 11 p.m. while inside the barbershop, police said. Rowley was pronounced dead at the scene.

Eight days prior to Rowley’s death, another man was gunned down in the parking lot of the same barbershop, police said at the time.

Michael Edwards was shot at 6:42 p.m. by a man wearing a black ski mask and hood, police said. Edwards, 21, 4577 Sherwood St., died at Baton Rouge General Medical Center-Mid City.

Police say Rowley and Edwards were targeted and their shootings are connected, McKneely said.

Attempts to contact the victims’ family members at their homes and by telephone were unsuccessful Monday.

Ted’s Barbershop was closed Monday afternoon.

Three other fatal shootings, including the Nov. 10 shooting of Zywaski Hatch that also could be linked to the killings at Ted’s Barbershop, McKneely said.

Hatch, 22, 8297 Franwood Drive, was shot about 7 p.m. while in a car in the 1200 block of North 39th Street, police said. She died from her wounds four days later at Baton Rouge General Medical Center-Mid City.