Baton Rouge, LA – The Baton Rouge community is reeling from the heartbreaking loss of 16-year-old Charleston Wright, who tragically lost his life in an accidental shooting on Thursday night, January 8, 2026. The incident occurred on Ozark Street near Delaware Street, leaving family, friends, and the wider community in deep sorrow.

According to local authorities, the shooting happened just before 9:00 p.m., when Charleston was fatally shot in what investigators believe was a tragic accident. While details surrounding the incident are still under investigation, authorities have confirmed that Charleston’s death resulted from a gunshot wound. No further specifics have been released as law enforcement works to piece together the events that led to this devastating accident.

Charleston, a beloved student and friend, was known for his vibrant personality and his love for sports. His friends and family remember him as a kind-hearted, hardworking teenager with a promising future ahead of him. Loved ones have described him as someone who brought joy and light into every room he entered. His tragic death has sent shockwaves through the community, leaving a void that will be impossible to fill.

Local leaders have expressed their condolences, with Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston Broome offering her support to the Wright family during this incredibly difficult time. “Our community grieves with the Wright family, and we are committed to supporting them as they navigate this unimaginable loss,” Mayor Broome said in a statement.

As the investigation continues, the community remains united in mourning Charleston’s untimely passing. A vigil is being planned by friends and family to honor his life and to raise awareness about gun safety, in hopes that no other family will have to experience such a heartbreaking tragedy.