Staff Report
UPDATE (Sunday, May 11, 10 a.m.) -
According to the Town of Livingston Police Deparmtnet (LPD), through continued investigation, LPD has discovered that the crimes appear to be premeditated and that Soileau did not orchestrate or carry out these crimes alone.
On Saturday May 10, 2025 Livingston Police Department obtained an arrest warrant through the 21st JDC for Caleb Rowley, a 23 year old white male from Denham Springs. Later that evening the Livingston Police Department with the assistance of the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office apprehended Rowley.
Rowley was booked in to the Livingston Parish Detention Center on the following charges:
- 1st Degree Murder
- Aggravated Burglary
- Obstruction of Justice
- Tampering with Surveillance
As stated in the previous release this investigation remains ongoing. Due to this investigation still being active, information is limited. "Obviously there is more to this story and we will have more information to share following the conclusion of the investigation," Livingston police said in their release."
“As always my department is committed to the safety of our community," Chief Randy Dufrene said in the newest update. "We continue to pray for the family of the deceased and are committed to leaving no stone unturned with this investigation.
"Our officers have been working day and night following every credible lead to bring justice for this family and our Town," Chief Dufrene continued. "Please understand we are limited on what we can share at this time as this investigation is not over by any means. These types of crimes and criminals will not be tolerated here.”
ORIGINAL RELEASE
At approximately 21:07 the Livingston Police Department was notified by dispatch of a gun shot victim identified as a white male, 23 year old Evan Lynch. Dispatch was advised by the caller that Lynch sustained a gun shot to the chest at Doyle High School and was having difficulty breathing.
911 Dispatchers were able to determine the vehicle the call was coming from was traveling east on Texas Street through triangulating the cellular signal.
A Livingston Police Department Patrol Officer with the assistance of the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office was able to locate the caller off Red Oak Road near Texas Street where they found Lynch in the vehicle with a single gun shot wound to the chest and immediately began to render emergency aid.
Acadian Ambulance arrived on scene shortly after Officers and immediately loaded the patient for transport to a Baton Rouge Hospital for trauma treatment.
At this time Officers detained the driver and passenger in the vehicle for questioning.
Through investigation and interviews Officers identified the vehicle driver as Brandon Soileau a 19 year old white male. It was further determined the crime occurred at the Doyle High School Baseball field off Mclin Rd.
Through continued investigation Soileau was determined to be the shooter.
Officers were notified by the hospital at approximately 12:15am that the victim had succumbed to his injury.
Soileau was booked in to the Livingston Parish Detention Center on the following charges:
- 14:30- 1st Degree Murder
- 14:60- Aggravated Burglary
- 14:130.1- Obstruction of Justice
- 14:110.3- Tampering with Surveillance
Additional charges are possible as the Investigation continues.
Chief Randy Dufrene and Lt. Wadsworth would like to thank the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in the investigation and quick response. Chief Dufrene would also like to commend his Officers on making a timely arrest in this incident.
Chief further stated It is important to reiterate to the Town citizens this tragedy was not involving any Town Residents or Doyle Students. At no time were the citizens of Livingston or our schools being targeted nor was any party involved a Town resident or Doyle student.
Our thoughts go out to the family of the victim during this tragic time.
At this time no additional details will be released due to the severity of this crime and as further investigation continues.
Livingston Parish Public Schools issued the following statement:
Livingston Parish Public School officials are aware of a shooting that occurred on Friday evening, May 9, at the Doyle High School baseball field off McLin Road in Livingston.
The shooting incident did not occur during a school event, and it did not involve any students or employees of the school system.
The Town of Livingston Police Department reports that the incident occurred prior to 9 p.m. when the park was otherwise empty. One individual has been arrested in connection with the incident that has left another person dead.
Doyle High School Principal Ashley Sharp said the school will review its security measures to determine how improvements can be made to the park. She said the park has a bar gate to prohibit vehicle traffic entrance during closed hours, and the field is monitored by security cameras.
Sharp also noted that unauthorized entrance to a school facility is an unlawful activity.
