In the early morning hours of a quiet Saturday in Baton Rouge, a dispute fueled by jealousy culminated in the tragic death of David Riggins, a 64-year-old man and former mayor of the small Louisiana town of Vinton. The incident, which unfolded on March 16, 2019, took place in the serene, gated subdivision of St. Regis, shattering the neighborhood's tranquility.
Riggins, who was Vinton's first Black alderman and had served as its mayor for approximately six years, was a respected figure known for his intelligence and energetic nature.
The chain of events leading to his demise began with a confrontation initiated by 34-year-old Vernon Mosby. According to police reports and media coverage, Mosby had been involved in a relationship with Riggins. Suspecting that Riggins was with another man, Mosby allegedly used a dating app to confirm his fears. In a fit of rage, he drove to Riggins's home on Knights Bridge Court, leaving his own 8-year-old daughter unattended in his car nearby. He then proceeded to jump the fence of Riggins's property and began to pound on the doors and windows, demanding to be let in.
Startled awake by the commotion, Riggins eventually went to the door, armed with a handgun for his own protection. A physical struggle ensued between the two men, and in the ensuing chaos, the gun discharged. A single bullet struck Riggins, inflicting a fatal wound. After the shot rang out, Mosby fled the scene, though he later called 911 to report the incident. He eventually returned to the residence and was taken into custody by the Baton Rouge Police Department.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Vernon Mosby was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. The investigation revealed the jealous motives behind the fatal encounter, painting a grim picture of a love affair that had soured and turned deadly. The community of Vinton mourned the loss of a man who had left a lasting legacy as a trailblazer in local politics and a respected member of the community. His death served as a somber reminder of how quickly personal disputes can escalate into irreversible tragedy.
