Alexis Griffin was a 26-year-old Black woman described by her father as a "loving and caring person who loved her children." A mother of two, she lived in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where her life was cut short in a violent encounter with her boyfriend, the father of her children. Her father, Albert Griffin, later wrote in a statement, "Sometimes it’s hard to face another day without my daughter.
She was such a loving and caring person who loved her children.”
On the evening of November 2, 2020, Joshua Jermaine Matthews arrived at Griffin's home at the Serenity Apartments on North Ardenwood Drive to pick up their 4-year-old son. Their 2-week-old daughter was asleep inside the apartment. Around 6:30 p.m., Griffin brought the boy out to Matthews in the parking lot. As Matthews reached for the child, Griffin, apparently believing he was lunging at her, sprayed him with pepper spray. Matthews reacted by swatting at her and began to walk away, but then turned back, drew a gun, and chased her around a vehicle. As Griffin ran toward a wooded area behind the complex, Matthews fired, striking her once in the back. He then took their son, fled in a car, and left the newborn alone in the apartment.
Emergency responders were called to the scene, but Alexis Griffin had already succumbed to her injuries. Prosecutors later stated that the single bullet had pierced both of her lungs. The entire incident was captured on the apartment complex's surveillance video.
The Baton Rouge Police Department, noting a history of domestic violence between the couple, quickly identified Matthews as the suspect. Two days later, on November 4, 2020, police arrested the 37-year-old and booked him into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on a charge of second-degree murder. During the investigation, police found the murder weapon at a friend's home. When questioned, Matthews claimed he had only fired his gun into the air, a statement contradicted by the video evidence.
Joshua Jermaine Matthews was scheduled to be tried for second-degree murder, which carried a mandatory life sentence upon conviction. In July 2023, he accepted a plea deal from state prosecutors. Matthews, then 39, pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of manslaughter. District Judge Tarvald Smith sentenced him to 40 years in prison. Before issuing the sentence, the judge told Matthews, "with responsibility comes consequence... Wherever the state of Louisiana decides to send you … there will be a visiting day. But we can’t say the same for the victim’s family.” The case was closed with his sentencing in July 2023.
