In the early morning hours of December 28, 2016, the life of 38-year-old Patrick Mitchell, an African American male, was tragically cut short inside a residence in Ruston, Louisiana. At approximately 3:45 AM, officers from the Ruston Police Department were dispatched to a home at 808 Greenwood Drive following reports of a shooting. Inside, they found Mitchell suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
He was rushed to a nearby hospital but ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into the homicide quickly pointed to a suspect. Taylor Keyonta Burr, a 24-year-old male, was identified in connection with the fatal shooting. Investigators' attention was drawn to Burr while he was already in custody at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center on a separate burglary charge. Burr had been arrested on January 8, 2017, for the simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling.
Following further investigation into Mitchell's death, authorities brought more severe charges against Burr. He was charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Patrick Mitchell. After the murder charge was filed, he remained booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center, where he was held without bond. The motive for the shooting and further details about the circumstances leading to the incident have not been publicly released by law enforcement officials.
