![/// From: Kunzelman, MichaelSent: Sunday, September 17, 2017 10:16 AMTo: Jordan, Jacob; McConnaughey, JanetSubject: FW: Associated Press inquiryFrom: Edward Turner [mailto:ETurner@EBRSO.ORG]Sent: Sunday, September 17, 2017 9:15 AMTo: Kunzelman, Michael; Barry Miles; Melissa Fagot; Casey Rayborn Hicks; Booking Photo Grp (DG); Savannah K. JonesCc: Jordan, Jacob; McConnaughey, JanetSubject: RE: Associated Press inquiryFrom: Kunzelman, Michael [mailto:mkunzelman@ap.org]Sent: Sunday, September 17, 2017 9:04 AMTo: Barry Miles ; Melissa Fagot ; Casey Rayborn Hicks ; Booking Photo Grp (DG) Cc: Jordan, Jacob ; McConnaughey, Janet Subject: Associated Press inquiryGood morning,Can you email me the probable cause affidavit and booking photo for Kenneth Gleason ( 5144 Sandy Ridge Drive, Baton Rouge, DOB 4-5-94)?Thanks,Michael KunzelmanAssociated Press225-343-1325 (office)662-699-9197 (cell)The information contained in this communication is intended for the use of the designated recipients named above. If the reader of this communication is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you have received this communication in error, and that any review, dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify The Associated Press immediately by telephone at +1-212-621-1500 and delete this email. Thank you.](https://talkingpointsmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/AP_17260541882051.jpg?w=804)
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Police believe the slayings of two black men in Baton Rouge were likely racially motivated and said Sunday they have a suspect — a 23-year-old white man — in custody.
The suspect, Kenneth Gleason, was being held on drug charges. Authorities do not yet have enough evidence to charge him with murder, Baton Rouge Sgt. L’Jean McKneely told The Associated Press.
McNeely said shell casings from the shootings linked the two slayings and a car belonging to Gleason fit the description of the vehicle police were looking for. He said police had collected other circumstantial evidence but he wouldn’t say what it was.
“There is a strong possibility that it could be racially motivated,” he said.
The shootings happened about 5 miles from each other. The first occurred Tuesday when 59-year-old Bruce Cofield, who was homeless, was shot to death. The second happened Thursday when 49-year-old Donald Smart was gunned down walking to work at a cafe popular with LSU students, McKneely said.
It wasn’t immediately clear if Gleason had an attorney or when his first court appearance would be.
Detectives searched Gleason’s home on Saturday and found less than a gram of marijuana and vials of human growth hormone in his bedroom, according a police document. After Gleason was read his Miranda rights, he claimed ownership of the drugs, the document said.
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Associated Press writer Jacob Jordan in Atlanta contributed to this report.
