In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the life of two-year-old Azariah Christien Thomas was cut short on the evening of Thursday, October 15, 2020. The male toddler was fatally wounded when a gunman opened fire on a home, a senseless act that concluded a violent crime spree.
The tragic chain of events was set in motion by Kendrick Myles, who engaged in a series of violent acts that evening.
Before the fatal shooting, Myles had broken into another residence where he shot a man, and had also kidnapped a nine-year-old child. His rampage brought him to a house on West Upland Street, where he indiscriminately fired multiple rounds into the dwelling. Azariah, who was inside, was struck by the gunfire. Although he was quickly transported to a hospital, he could not be saved. The nine-year-old who had been kidnapped was later found unharmed. In a poignant detail, it was reported that Azariah's father was a police officer in the nearby community of New Roads.
Following the shooting, law enforcement engaged in an hours-long standoff with the suspect, which ultimately led to the arrest of Kendrick Myles. He was subsequently charged with a host of serious crimes, including second-degree murder, six counts of attempted second-degree murder, home invasion, and aggravated kidnapping of a child.
In December 2024, the case came to a legal conclusion when Kendrick Myles pleaded guilty to manslaughter for causing Azariah's death, in addition to six counts of attempted murder. For these crimes, he was sentenced to serve 40 years in prison. Court records revealed that Myles had previously been diagnosed with bipolar schizophrenia.
