In the late evening hours of a Friday in Baton Rouge, a family outing took a tragic and unforeseen turn, ending in the death of 25-year-old Donvonte Mobley. On May 25, 2018, Donvonte was driving his white Honda Accord, giving his 19-year-old nephew, Joseph Mobley, a ride home. Another witness was also in the vehicle, seated in the passenger seat, as they pulled up to a residence in the 3500 block of Victoria Drive around 8:45 p.m.
As they arrived at the destination, a sudden loud bang
shattered the calm inside the car. Joseph, who had been sitting in the back seat, was handling a pistol when it discharged. A single bullet struck Donvonte in the head. In the immediate aftermath, a frightened Joseph fled from the scene, discarding two weapons that were later recovered by investigators.
Baton Rouge Police Department officers were dispatched to the location following reports of a shooting. Upon their arrival, they discovered Donvonte Mobley in the driver's seat, suffering from a grievous gunshot wound. Despite any efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead at the scene. A witness in the car recounted to police that there had been no argument or altercation between the uncle and nephew leading up to the fatal incident.
Not long after he fled, Joseph Mobley contacted the police and expressed his desire to surrender. He was taken into custody on Victoria Drive. During questioning, Joseph explained that as they were pulling up to his house, he had pulled the pistol from his waistband, and it accidentally went off. Following the investigation into the accidental shooting, Joseph Mobley was arrested and booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison. He was charged with one count of negligent homicide.
