BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – A defunded violence prevention program is facing scrutiny after the suspected Mall of Louisiana shooter was revealed to have been a participant, and a team leader listed on the program’s website has an active restraining order against him.
The Baton Rouge Street Team, which received millions in taxpayer dollars to curb violence, is now facing questions as Mayor Sid Edwards’ office did not renew federal grants for the program, leaving it largely unfunded. The program’s director said it remains open and operating with volunteers.
Markel Lee, 17, was arrested and accused of first-degree murder and attempted murder in the April 23 shooting that killed 17-year-old Martha Odom and injured five others at the Mall of Louisiana. Law enforcement from across the area responded to the shooting, which made national headlines…