In a tragic turn of events stemming from a bitter love triangle, Neville Allen, a 22-year-old Black man, was fatally shot on February 4, 2020, at his place of employment, the Louisiana Culinary Institute in Baton Rouge. He succumbed to his injuries in the hospital the following day. The incident, which was captured on surveillance video, unfolded as a calculated ambush fueled by jealousy.
The investigation swiftly led to the arrest of 22-year-old Trebien Adams, who was identified as the
jealous boyfriend of a woman Allen had recently started dating. According to law enforcement, Adams had been sending threatening texts, calls, and letters to Allen prior to the shooting. The surveillance footage showed Adams arriving at the culinary institute's parking lot, retrieving a shotgun from his vehicle, and confronting Allen, who was outside talking on his phone. Adams then shot Allen in the chest at close range before fleeing the scene.
During questioning, Adams admitted to confronting Allen but claimed he only intended to scare him and believed the shotgun was unloaded. He implicated another individual, Jarquin Handy, alleging that Handy had provided the weapon and assured him it was not loaded. Handy, who was present during the shooting, was also arrested and admitted to not rendering aid to Allen after he was shot.
Adams was subsequently charged with second-degree murder and illegal use of a weapon. Following a trial where the prosecution presented evidence of his premeditated actions, he was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Jarquin Handy also faced legal consequences for his involvement in the incident and was charged as a principal to second-degree murder and illegal use of a weapon.
