A college student who was shot more than ten times while waiting at a train crossing in Louisiana was eating fries when she died.
Allison Rice, 21, had been on her way home from a night out with friends and was shot dead at around 2.30am on Friday near railroad tracks.
Detectives are ‘at a loss’ as to the motive behind the brutal slaying of the student, from Geismar, who has been described as ‘bright and bubbly’ by friends.
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 was killed.
It is thought that she had been truing to turn around at the tracks when she was shot multiple times through her windshield.
Friends and family have laid floral tributes to her, as well as her favourite snacks, on the street where she was shot, and also put-up a cross with her face on a telephone pole.
Allison Rice, 21, had been studying marketing at Louisiana State University and had been preparing for an internship before her tragic murder
Police rushed to the scene after witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots at around 2.30am on Friday
Friends and family have laid floral tributes to her, as well as her favourite snacks, on the street where she was shot
Rice’s aunt Susie Rice Granier described the young woman as a ‘free spirit’ and said she loved to sing and dance
A cross with Allie’s face in the centre has been nailed into a telephone pole close to where the student was killed
Officers have not yet identified a suspect in the killing and are yet to identify the reason behind the attack according to Unfiltered with Kiran.
Rice had been waiting for a train to finish crossing when she was shot and suffered wounds to her arm and chest.
Authorities discovered several shell casings close to her vehicle, as well as fast food in her lap, but nothing was taken from her car.
It does not appear as though it is a case of mistaken identity, with officers at a loss for the motive behind the killing.
Baton Rouge Police are investigating the shooting, with Police Chief Murphy Paul saying after the incident: ‘I just left the scene prior to coming here.
‘Our detectives are out there canvassing the area. A lot of the investigative efforts that are going on behind the scenes. Very sad. Very sad.’
Her father Paul told WBRZ: ‘It should’ve never happened, this should not have happened, it should not have happened.
‘She’s a beautiful child. She had one year left to graduate LSU, she had her whole future ahead of her.
‘When you hear the words from the police man saying, “she’s with the coroner now, she didn’t make it.” It’s the most devastating words you can ever hear.’
Her family are pleading for answers from police, and are begging anyone with information to come forwards.
The student had been out with friends prior to the shooting and got stuck behind a train only a few miles away from campus when she was killed
Authorities discovered several shell casings close to her vehicle, as well as fast food in her lap, but nothing was taken from her car
Rice had been working as a bartender at The Shed BBQ in Baton Rouge, where she worked with her two brothers (pictured together)
Her parents are pleading for anyone with information to come forwards to help police with their inquiries
Police responded to the scene around 2.30am and all that was left later that morning was a pile of broken glass after her car was removed
Sgt. L’Jean McKneely with Baton Rouge Police added: ‘Chief Paul has been working hard with getting the camera surveillance systems up, we have that downtown, were trying to push it and make it happen down to major corridors for Baton Rouge. Florida Street, Government Street.’
EBR Mayor President Sharon Weston Broome added: ‘My heart goes out to the family, loved ones, and classmates of Allison Rice, a young LSU student who had her entire life ahead of her.
‘This senseless violence is completely unacceptable and Baton Rouge Police officers are thoroughly investigating to bring the perpetrator to justice.
‘Our university community is an essential part of the fabric of Baton Rouge. It is of the utmost importance as we welcome students from across our state and the nation that we create a safe environment.’
Rice’s death is the 74th this year in the East Baton Rouge Parish, and comes after a string of crimes agsint LSU students.
On August 19, another student was shot during an attempted robbery, and just days later two separate kidnapping cases happened on campus.
According to the FBI, Baton Rouge has one of the highest homicide rates in Louisiana.
Anyone with information should call Baton Rouge Police on (225) 389-2000.