BATON ROUGE - A juvenile was among two people hit by gunfire Monday in a neighborhood near Florida Boulevard.

The shooting was reported around 1:20 p.m.. The victims were found hurt on Marque Ann Drive and nearby La Annie Drive.

Authorities said one of the victims was under the age of 18.

No other details related to the victims' conditions nor the shooting were immediately available.  

BATON ROUGE - A familiar sight returned to the University Lakes Monday as the pink flamingos once again flocked to the waters, signaling the start of the Carnival season in Baton Rouge.

Spanish Town's iconic flamingos appeared in the lakes early Monday morning, the hand-crafted wooden birds daring passersby to brave the frigid waters and claim one for themselves.

The annual tradition began back in the 1980s as a way to drum up interest in the Spanish Town Ball. The flamingo race has since become a staple of the Mardi Gras season in the capital area, and now the birds are in high demand. 

The Spanish Town Ball is scheduled for Feb. 5, and the parade is set to roll on Feb. 26.

BATON ROUGE - Nineteenth Judicial District Court Judge Christopher Dassau died suddenly Sunday.

He was found dead at his home on Sinbad Street, sources told WBRZ.

Dassau was elected to District Court in November 2020. Dassau worked under Baker City Attorney Ken Fabre as the City of Baker Prosecutor. He oversaw criminal trials.

"Quite frankly, I'm shaken, as I'm sure many who knew him closely as well as many of those who knew him in the legal community are shaken," Fabre said. "He lived, he loved, he laughed, and he cried, but he will never die because we will remember Chris Dassau, the young man who felt he was born to be a judge."

Baker Mayor Darnell Waites told WBRZ in a statement, Dassau will be "deeply missed."

He said the judge was a respected colleague and friend.

"It is with great regret and sadness that I learned today of the passing of Judge Christopher R. Dassau. His honorable service and dedication throughout his career to the City of Baker, East Baton Rouge Parish and the State of Louisiana will be deeply missed. He was not only a respected colleague but a true friend. My deepest sympathies are with his family and loved ones today." Mayor Waites said in a statement.

"East Baton Rouge Parish has lost a talented and dedicated public servant with the passing of Judge Christopher Dassau. He was a prosecutor for Baker prior to serving in the 19th Judicial District Court. Judge Dassau was committed to justice and progress in our community. Please keep his family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers," Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome said.

Sources told WBRZ a family member called police for a welfare check after not hearing from Dassau.  Police knocked down the door of his home after knocking and no one answered.  Dassau was found on the floor next to his bed, sources said.  He may have been dead for some time, sources said.

Details about what caused his death were not immediately available but sources said his death was from a health issue.