🌱 Siegen Lane Shooting + The Flamingeauxs Adopt BR Zoo Flamingo

Happy Monday, people of Baton Rouge! Let's get you all caught up to start today off on an informed note.

First, today's weather:

Cloudy with showers around. High: 72 Low: 59.

Here are the top three stories today in Baton Rouge:

1. On Saturday, a suspect who was allegedly "playing with a gun" in the 6100 block of Siegen Lane shot and killed a teenager and her unborn child. According to the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office, Chad Blackard was sitting behind Karrington Smith, 17, in a vehicle when his semi-automatic handgun discharged and hit Smith in the back. Blackard told authorities that he "squeezed the trigger" while readjusting the weapon and "it went off." Smith and her 25-week-old fetus later died at a local hospital, prompting EBRSO to arrest Blackard on charges of negligent homicide, third-degree feticide, and illegal use of weapons. (WAFB)
2. The Flamingeauxs dance group, a flamboyant, feather-shaking staple at local community parades and performances, has officially "adopted" a real flamingo at the Baton Rouge Zoo. The group has decided to call their adopted mascot Fernandeaux, and their generosity will provide care for the flamingo for a full year. "Our dance crew gives back to multiple non-profits throughout the year, and ... we thought it would be absolute perfection to adopt a flamingo here," Flamingeauxs co-founder Tamara Palmer told WBRZ. (WBRZ)
3. Rain today and tomorrow will clear up and give way to warm, sunny weather here in Baton Rouge this week. Expect high temperatures in the 70s all week long. Get the full local forecast on Patch. (Baton Rouge Patch)

From our sponsor:

Today's Baton Rouge Daily is brought to you in part by Newrez, a leading nationwide mortgage lender. Make a smart move for your future and refinance with Newrez today. Call 844-979-1707 to connect with a Newrez loan officer. Newrez, LLC (NMLS #3013)

Today in Baton Rouge:

• Origami Jumping Frogs: Grab & Geaux At East Baton Rouge Parish Library (All Day)
• Teen Movie Club - "Kung Fu Panda" (PG, 2008) At East Baton Rouge Parish Library (4:00 PM)
• Baton Rouge Film Club - "Angels with Dirty Faces" At Bluebonnet Regional Branch (6:15 PM)
• An Evening With Sona Jobarteh At Manship Theatre at Shaw Center for the Arts(7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Looking for a new house here in Baton Rouge? Get the details on these five local properties that have just been listed for sale. (Baton Rouge Patch)
• U.S. News and World Report profiled Red Stick Reads, a new tiny, independent bookstore that just opened up in Baton Rouge. Here's what inspired two "unlikely book-mongers" to start a brick-and-mortar book shop in the age of e-commerce. (U.S. News & World Report)
• The EBRSO is currently investigating the death of 41-year-old Kelly Perez, whose body was found early Sunday morning on Gardere Avenue. Anyone with information should contact authorities. (BRProud.com)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• FREE WEBINAR | Saints, Symbols, and Spaghetti (March 15)
• Bayou Home Show & Cannata's Festival of Food (March 19)
• Add your event

Loving the Baton Rouge Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
• Get your local business listed in front of readers

You're all caught up for today! See you all tomorrow for another update.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.