On a quiet Sunday evening in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the life of Nicholas Williams, a 33-year-old male, was cut short. On March 5, 2023, just a day before his 34th birthday, Williams was found shot to death around 8:45 p.m. on Alliquipa Street. A father to three children, including a set of twins, he was known as a quiet and hardworking man who had a passion for the arts, including painting, carpentry, and making music.
Those who knew him described him as a man who was not involved in street life, and whose social media presence was free of any depictions of violence or weapons.
The investigation into his death led authorities to 20-year-old Rashawn Rashae Alexander. On March 22, 2023, a coordinated effort between the Baton Rouge Police Special Response Team and the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's SWAT Team resulted in Alexander's arrest at a residence on South Harrell's Ferry Road. The arrest was reportedly aided by video footage of the incident that helped detectives identify him as the suspect.
Rashawn Alexander was subsequently charged with first-degree murder, possession of a firearm or carrying a concealed weapon by a person convicted of certain felonies, distribution or possession of marijuana, and illegal use of weapons. At the time of the homicide, Alexander was out on bond for previous felony charges, which included violating a protective order, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a stolen firearm. He had been ordered to wear an ankle monitor, but records indicated that he had not been keeping the device charged and had even left the state without authorization.
In a strange turn of events in July 2024, Alexander was accidentally released from the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison. The release occurred after a judge found no probable cause on one of his prior charges, and a communication breakdown led to his release despite the pending murder charge. However, once the error was discovered and a new arrest warrant was issued, Alexander turned himself back into custody the following morning. The case against him for the murder of Nicholas Williams is ongoing.
