Authorities say a planned online transaction ended in robbery and gunfire.
BATON ROUGE, La. — A 19-year-old woman was shot and later died after meeting a teenager for a vape sale at an apartment complex on Coursey Boulevard Thursday night, authorities said.
The case has drawn attention to the risks tied to online marketplace meetups as investigators say the encounter quickly escalated into a robbery and fatal shooting. A 16-year-old suspect is now in custody, facing multiple charges including first-degree murder and armed robbery.
Deputies with the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office said the shooting happened around 8 p.m. on April 2 at the City Heights on Coursey apartments in the 13000 block of Coursey Boulevard. Responding officers found the victim, identified as Darby Marmillion, inside her car suffering from a gunshot wound. She was taken to a hospital in critical condition, where she later died.
Investigators said Marmillion had arranged to meet the suspect through an online platform to sell vape pens. Detectives believe the teenager entered her vehicle during the meeting. At some point, he allegedly pulled out a gun, took the vape pens, and shot her before fleeing the scene.
Authorities have not released details about how the suspect was located, but confirmed he was taken into custody and booked into a juvenile detention facility. He faces charges of first-degree murder, armed robbery, illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile, and obstruction of justice.
The shooting adds to ongoing concerns among law enforcement about crimes linked to in-person exchanges arranged online. Officials have repeatedly warned that such meetups, especially when conducted in private or unfamiliar locations, can carry significant risks.
Neighbors in the apartment complex said the area was briefly filled with emergency vehicles Thursday night as deputies secured the scene. Some residents described hearing gunshots followed by sirens, while others said they only realized something had happened after seeing police activity.
Investigators have not said whether the suspect and victim had any prior relationship beyond the arranged sale. Officials also have not released information about whether surveillance footage or witnesses played a role in identifying the suspect.
The case is being handled through the juvenile justice system, and further details about court proceedings or potential hearings have not yet been announced. Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing as detectives continue to review evidence and piece together the full sequence of events.
As of Friday, officials said no additional suspects were being sought, and there was no indication of a broader threat to the public.
Author note: Last updated April 8, 2026.