Allison Rice: Baton Rouge victim whose car was shot ‘at least five or six times’ identified as LSU student
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA: The dead body found inside a bullet-ridden car on the outskirts of downtown Baton Rouge has been identified as, Allison Rice, a student at Louisiana State University (LSU). The police said, during the early hours on Friday, September 16, the student’s vehicle was fired at least "five or six" times. The victim’s car was found near the railroad tracks on Government Street, which is close to Eddie Robinson Drive, the Baton Rouge Police Department told WAFB. She was alone in the vehicle at the time of the shooting.
Louisiana State University released a statement on Rice’s death expressing sadness and asking students to help the police if they have any information on the shooting. “The LSU community is saddened to hear of senior Allison Rice being killed overnight. Her family and friends are in our thoughts, and we encourage anyone who may have more information about this crime to contact Baton Rouge Police,” it read.
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Witnesses claim that Rice was stopped at a train crossing in the 1500 block of Government Street around 2.20 am. As the LSU student tried to take a U-turn, she was attacked by a flurry of bullets. Floyd Normand, the local resident told WWL, “We’ve got a lot of problems here, you know what I mean. You’ve got people doing things they should be doing, stuff like that. I’m trying to stay focused, stay out of that life, and be in my house. When night falls, I try to be in my house.”
Rice had attended Dutchtown High School, and the principal Matthew Monceaux also released a statement on her death, “We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Allison Rice, who was a 2019 graduate of Dutchtown High School. Our hearts go out to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her. We will have counselors available to help our school community deal with this sad loss. If your child wishes to talk to a counselor, please encourage him or her to seek assistance from a teacher or counselor.”
Rice was employed at a barbecue restaurant, The Shed, located close to the campus. One of her co-workers said she was lively and always carried a smile. The restaurant co-owner Luke Forstmann also reacted, “Her whole life ahead of her,” he further added, “she was so proud about an internship and graduating. She was just such an amazing girl with so much ahead of her.”
The statement released by the University also issued a helpline number for students on Rice's killing, “Any of her friends and classmates that would like to speak with someone about this or needs help processing this loss can contact the Mental Health Service in the Student Health Center (225-578-8774).”