Shreveport Man Sentenced to Life for Downtown Club Murder

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.

Caddo District Court also added another another 55 years.

The life sentence is mandatory under state law and must be served without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence. The District Judge heaped the years on 32 year-old Brandon Lawayne Batiste.

Batiste was found guilty as-charged of second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder and illegal possession of a firearm.

In 2023, Batiste shot and killed 41 year-old John Ruffin Jr., outside the Phoenix Nightclub on 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, the Judge 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 served consecutively.

From the Caddo DA:

"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."