Victims of EBR Homicides Were Unarmed When Killed: Coroner

East Baton Rouge Coroner Reports

BATON ROUGE — Victims of homicide in the parish are almost never armed, if statistics from 2012 are any indication.

East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Dr. Beau Clark told the Ronald Reagan Newsmaker Luncheon last week that the parish experienced 96 homicides during 2012.  Ironically, only three of those 96 victims were in possession of a firearm when

they were killed, Clark said.

The coroner’s office does not file official reports on whether victims of homicide are armed, but the coroner said the number was based on his staff’s knowledge of the cases.

Former Sheriff Greg Phares said that killers seldom target individuals who are armed.

Last week, the Advocate said law enforcement agencies reported 83 homicides in the parish last year.  However, the coroner’s office keeps separate records on homicides.