Two Southern University students killed in crossfire: Suspected shooter in custody

Two Southern University students were shot and killed on Sunday after being caught in a crossfire at the Cottages Apartment Complex near LSU’s campus.
An altercation ensued between a former SU football player and a 24-year-old male victim, who was also shot but expected to survive.
Annette January, a 19- year- old freshman of Gary, Indiana, and 19-year-old sophomore Lashuntae Benton of Lake Charles, were both attending a party with fellow students.
Students were active members in SU athletics, January was a track and field athlete and Benton was a student athletic trainer.
According to Baton Rouge Police Department spokesman Sgt. Don Coppola Jr., the two students were simply bystanders.
Shooting suspect Ernest Bernard Felton, was arrested on Sunday and booked on counts of attempted second-degree murder and illegal use of weapons, with a bond set at $90,000 but not specifically booked for the deaths of either January or Benton.
President- Chancellor Dr. Ray L. Belton released a statement on behalf of the university on yesterday.
“It is with deep sadness that the University confirms that two Southern University Baton Rouge female student-athletes were killed early Sunday, April 10, 2016. According to law enforcement, freshman track and field athlete Annette January of Gary, Indiana, and sophomore student athletic trainer Lashuntae Benton of Lake Charles, was killed by gunfire outside of an apartment complex in Baton Rouge near LSU, early this morning. An investigation is ongoing. The University asks for prayers and support for the families at this difficult time.”
The SU Student Athletic Advisory Committee held group counseling on the third floor of the field house on yesterday beginning at 3 p.m.
Later on, during a brief press conference, Interim Athletic Director Roman Banks expressed his condolences to the family.
“No question about it… for the last 48 hours we have been in constant contact with the families and we are sharing their sorrow and also sharing with them love and support, we are continuing to stay in contact with the family,” said Banks.
“You often ask your kids to make the right decisions, and these two made pretty good decisions. They weren’t anywhere they wasn’t suppose to be, they weren’t somewhere we would consider a bad place, they were really good kids and it is unfortunate when you do the right things and something as this happens,” said Banks.
Banks also thanked those that have given moral support from other universities.
“We do want to say thank you to all of the Jaguar Nation and schools across the state that have reached out to us and gave us a word of inspiration to continue to strive on through such a tragic incident.”
Banks mentioned that he as well as others were able to travel to Lake Charles and visit the family of Benton and as well assist the mother of January.
When asked about the status of Felton being on the football team, Banks responded saying
“That was before my time…I really don’t know much about him as a student, but I do know that he has never played on the football team with my finest,” finished Banks.
In such a time of bereavement SU has found several ways to cope in the midst of this tragedy.
The SU Counseling Center is available to SU students throughout the day for crisis walk-in appointments and has extended its hours to 6:30 p.m.
Student Government Association will hold a candlelight vigil, tonight at 6 p.m. in the courtyard of the Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union.
The Southern University System Foundation has established a memorial fund to support the families of Benton and January.

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