In the quiet, upscale Round Oak subdivision of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the evening of Wednesday, May 18, 2016, was shattered by violence. Jesse Trejos, a 20-year-old male of Cuban and Panamanian heritage, was shot on the 9400 block of Kindletree Drive around 8:20 p.m. He was rushed to a local hospital but ultimately succumbed to his injuries. The incident left the residents of the normally tranquil neighborhood feeling fearful and on edge.
Jesse was described as an 'All American son' who
had a passion for life. He was an active young man who played football and soccer, and also enjoyed skateboarding. Known for his big smile and contagious laugh, he was loved by friends and family for his sense of humor and his kind, loving heart. He enjoyed attending music festivals, collecting pins, and playing online video games with his friends.
The investigation into Jesse's death quickly gained momentum, leading to the arrest of two suspects. Taylor Besson, a 20-year-old from Thibodaux, was taken into custody and booked on charges of principal to murder and robbery. During questioning, Besson confessed to being with Jesse on the night of the shooting. He implicated his own cousin, Justin Braud, as the shooter. According to Besson, an argument erupted over a backpack that Jesse had with him when he got into Besson's pickup truck. That backpack was never recovered.
A crucial piece of information came from a witness who had tried to render aid to Jesse immediately after the shooting. The witness told investigators that Jesse had murmured the name of his assailant and said that the name was saved in his phone. This, along with information from a confidential informant and video surveillance of the suspect's truck in the neighborhood, helped lead detectives to Besson. Cell phone records also confirmed Besson's presence at the scene of the crime. Following Besson's confession, Justin Braud was also taken into custody and was set to be booked on charges of murder and armed robbery.
