Disputes lead to shootings

Baton Rouge law-enforcement authorities investigated two shootings that occurred within about three hours of each other Saturday afternoon.

Baton Rouge police responded to a shooting around 1:30 p.m. in the 5300 block of Paige Street, a police spokesman said.

Police found Curtis Mitchell, 31, 5303 Paige St., inside his home with a gunshot wound to the chest, Cpl. L’Jean McKneely said.

Mitchell was taken to a hospital, where he died from his injuries, McKneely said.

The shooting appears to be drug related, McKneely said.

A drug transaction took place between Mitchell and the shooter, but who was selling to whom is unclear, McKneely said.

The shooter returned later to rob Mitchell, which is when he allegedly shot Mitchell, McKneely said.

The investigation is ongoing, McKneely said. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Violent Crimes Unit at [phone] or Crime Stoppers at [phone].

In the second incident, sheriff’s deputies responded to a non-fatal shooting around 4:40 p.m. on Coy Avenue near Gardere Lane, sheriff’s spokeswoman Casey Rayborn Hicks said.

A group of people were drinking in front of the residence at 8686 Coy Ave. when two men began arguing with each other, Hicks said.

One man eventually pulled out a gun and shot the other, Hicks said.

The wounded man was taken to a hospital and is expected to survive, Hicks said.

Deputies were working to put together a description of the suspect, Hicks said.

The shooting remains under investigation, Hicks said.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Crime Stoppers or the Sheriff’s Office at [phone].