Paul Rice, Allison Rice’s father, said the news of her untimely death devastated the family
The father of a 21-year-old college student who was shot dead while she was in her car in Louisiana said he believes she was “in the wrong place at the wrong time”.
Paul Rice, Allison Rice’s father, said the news of her untimely death devastated the family.
‘She’s not one who had enemies. We don’t think she was stalked or stalked,” he told Fox News.
“This particular area of Baton Rouge has a history of this type of activity.”
“It should never have happened, it shouldn’t have happened, it shouldn’t have happened,” Paul told WBRZ.
“She is a beautiful child. She still had a year to graduate from LSU, she had her whole future ahead of her.
“If you hear the words of the police officer who says, ‘She’s at the coroner’s now, she didn’t make it.’ They are the most devastating words you will ever hear.”
Allison Rice, 21, had studied marketing at Louisiana State University and was preparing for an internship before her tragic murder
Friends and family have left floral tributes, as well as their favorite snacks, on the street where she was shot
A cross with Allie’s face in the center was nailed to a telephone pole near where the student died
Allison was on her way home from a night out with friends and was shot dead near railroad tracks around 2:30 a.m. on Friday. She was in her car eating french fries at the time of the shooting.
The first time Paul knew something was wrong was at 4:45 a.m. when police knocked on his door to tell him his daughter had been the victim of a shooting.
“We woke up to our dogs barking and the doorbell ringing,” Rice told Fox.
“The cops showed up the middle of the night for various reasons, things happening in the neighborhood and stuff, but when they said, ‘Are you Allison’s father, can we come in please?’ You knew at that point it was going to be something horrific, I never imagined the news would be the way it was.
Police rushed to the scene after witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots around 2:30 a.m. Friday
Authorities discovered several bullet casings near her vehicle, as well as fast food on her lap, but nothing was stolen from her car
Police got to the scene around 2.30am and all that remained later that morning was a pile of broken glass after her car was removed
“The only thing I can really think about at this point is that it’s a bad case from the wrong place at the wrong time.”
As of Monday afternoon, Baton Rouge police have not identified a suspect or motive, with detectives “at a loss” to explain the brutal killing of the Geismar student, who was described by friends as “bright and bubbly.”
“This is being taken very seriously, but despite this, all indications at this time are that there is no evidence. They really don’t have an explanation for that at this point… right now in that particular part of town they don’t have the surveillance that’s necessary.’
Paul now has to arrange a funeral for his daughter.
“As a parent, I should never have to plan a funeral for my child. My mother shouldn’t have to be involved in a funeral for her grandchild,” he said. “This is just heartbreaking.”
The Louisiana State University senior was found in her bullet-riddled car in Baton Rouge after partying with friends at a bar on Government Street less than five minutes from where she died.
It is believed that she was trying to turn by the tracks when she was shot through her windshield multiple times.
Friends and family have laid flowers and their favorite snacks for her on the street where she was shot, and also placed a cross with her face on a telephone pole.
Rice’s aunt, Susie Rice Granier, described the young woman as a “free spirit” and said she loves to sing and dance
The student had been out with friends before the shooting and got stuck behind a train just a few miles from campus when she was killed
Rice had been waiting for a passing train to exit the intersection when she was shot and suffered wounds to her arm and chest.
Authorities discovered several bullet casings near her vehicle, as well as fast food on her lap, but nothing was stolen from her car.
Baton Rouge Police are investigating the shooting, and Chief Murphy Paul said after the incident: “I just left the scene before I came here.
“Our detectives are out there searching the area. Much of the investigative effort that takes place behind the scenes. Very sad. Very sad.’
Her family is appealing to police for answers and is asking anyone with information to come forward.
Rice had worked as a bartender at The Shed BBQ in Baton Rouge where she worked with her two brothers (pictured together).
Her parents are asking anyone with information to come forward to help the police with their investigation
Sergeant L’Jean McKneely of Baton Rouge Police added: “Chief Paul has been working hard to get the camera surveillance systems up and running, we have that downtown, trying to push it and get it into the main corridors of Baton Rouge bring. Florida Street, Government Street.”
East Baton Rouge Mayor and Community President Sharon Weston Broome added, “My heart goes out to the family, loved ones and classmates of Allison Rice, a young LSU student with her whole life ahead of her.
“This senseless violence is totally unacceptable and Baton Rouge Police Officers are investigating thoroughly to bring the perpetrator to justice.
“Our university community is an integral part of the fabric of Baton Rouge. As we welcome students from our state and across the nation, it is paramount that we create a safe environment.’
Rice’s death is the 74th this year in the East Baton Rouge community and comes after a series of crimes against LSU students.
On August 19, another student was shot dead in an attempted robbery, and just days later, two separate kidnapping incidents occurred on campus.
According to the FBI, Baton Rouge has one of the highest homicide rates in Louisiana.
Anyone with information regarding this shooting is urged to contact the Violent Crime Unit at (225) 389-4869 or Crime Stoppers at (225) 344-7867.