Both victims were hospitalized in critical condition but later died from their injuries, officials said.Â
The town had gone two years without a single homicide â until last month, when a woman was shot to death outside her apartment. The most recent killings came just weeks later.Â
Baker Police Chief Carl Dunn said he has no reason to believe any of the shootings are connected. He struggled to explain the surge in violence.
The deaths reflect a larger trend across East Baton Rouge Parish, where the murder rate has reached an unprecedented level over the past several months. It s horrible to see, especially around the holidays, Dunn said. His officers have ramped up patrols in certain areas and are working diligently to bring justice, he said.