Batiste to serve life plus 55 years for crimes

A man who killed one person and wounded another outside a downtown Shreveport nightclub with an illegal weapon in 2023 must serve life in prison, with another 55 years tacked on for good measure, a Shreveport judge ruled Wednesday, May 27, 2026.

The life sentence is mandatory under state law and must be served without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence. The discretion to punctuate that life term with additional years was exercised by District Judge Chris Victory, who heaped the years on Brandon Lawayne Batiste, 32. Batiste was found guilty as-charged of second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder and illegal possession of a firearm April 30, 2026, in Judge Victory's court.

On July 15, 2023, Batiste shot and killed John Ruffin Jr., 41, outside the Phoenix Nightclub in the 100 block of Travis Street. His intended victim that evening was Bryson Turner, who was wounded. Batiste has a 2014 conviction for aggravated assault with a firearm and thus was prohibited from possessing a handgun at the time of Phoenix shootings.

For Batiste's conviction of attempted Second-Degree Murder, Judge Victory decreed 40 years at hard labor, without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence. For possession of firearm by convicted felon, Batiste must serve 15 years at hard labor, also without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence.  All the sentences are to be service consecutively. 

Batiste was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys William J. Edwards and Courtney N. Ray. He was defended by Michael Enright and Carter Lawrence.

The case was docket No. 396444.