In what was supposed to be a simple sale of vape pens, 19-year-old Darby Marmillion, a white female, was fatally shot in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The incident unfolded on the evening of April 2, 2026, when Marmillion had arranged to meet a 16-year-old individual she had connected with online. The agreed-upon meeting place was the City Heights Apartments on Coursey Boulevard.
According to investigators, the teenager entered Marmillion's vehicle to complete the transaction.
However, the encounter quickly escalated into a robbery. The suspect brandished a handgun, stole the vape pens, and then shot Marmillion before fleeing the scene. Emergency services were called, and Marmillion was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. Despite medical efforts, she succumbed to her injuries the following day, on April 3, 2026.
The investigation into the homicide led to a swift arrest. On April 6, 2026, authorities took a 16-year-old male, identified as Brandon Lewis, into custody. Due to his status as a juvenile, his name and photograph were not widely disseminated by law enforcement. Lewis was subsequently booked into the Juvenile Detention Facility.
The charges brought against the suspect are severe, reflecting the violent nature of the crime. He faces counts of first-degree murder, armed robbery, illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile, and obstruction of justice. The case highlights the potential dangers of arranging in-person transactions with unknown individuals through online platforms.
