Daylon Anthony, 21, Shot and Killed Outside Amazon Fulfillment Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Daylon Anthony, 21, Shot and Killed Outside Amazon Fulfillment Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Tragedy Strikes Amid Workplace Disagreement
On Monday, April 28, 2025, tragedy struck just outside the Amazon Fulfillment Center located on Cortana Place in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, when 21-year-old Daylon Anthony, a dedicated employee, was fatally shot just steps from the workplace where he had been working the night shift. The incident unfolded at around 11:15 p.m. and was the result of a heated argument between two employees, during a scheduled break, which quickly escalated into a horrific scene of gunfire. The shooting immediately sent shockwaves through the facility and the broader Baton Rouge community, leaving loved ones and witnesses grappling with the violent and senseless loss of a young life.
Daylon Anthony, a bright and hardworking young man, was remembered by his family and friends as someone with immense potential and a bright future. His untimely death has left a deep void in the hearts of those who knew him. His colleagues, who worked alongside him at the Amazon facility, are now coping with the loss of a friend and coworker, as they try to make sense of the chaos that unfolded so suddenly in what was supposed to be a routine evening shift.
The Amazon Fulfillment Center, a sprawling 3.4-million-square-foot facility that opened in June 2024, stands on the site of the former Cortana Mall, a symbol of revitalization for the area. Employing over 1,000 workers, it serves as a vital economic hub for Baton Rouge. For many of the employees, the center represents opportunity and stability. However, the violence that erupted outside the facility late Monday night has left many questioning the safety protocols in place at such large-scale workplaces, and how such an incident could happen in what is typically a controlled environment.
According to law enforcement, the shooting occurred shortly after the evening shift began, around 11:15 p.m. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots, which prompted immediate panic as employees scrambled to find safety. Managers quickly instructed workers to evacuate the area, and within minutes, the sound of sirens filled the night as emergency responders arrived on the scene. Baton Rouge Police Department officers, along with East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s deputies, secured the facility by 11:30 p.m. and launched an investigation into the shooting. The area surrounding the Fulfillment Center was cordoned off, and no one, except law enforcement and emergency personnel, was allowed entry after midnight.
Employees were not allowed to retrieve their vehicles from the parking lot until after 1 a.m., and the facility remained closed well into the early hours of Tuesday morning as authorities worked to piece together the events leading up to the shooting. In the aftermath, the Baton Rouge Parish Coroner’s Office officially identified Daylon Anthony as the victim, confirming the devastating outcome of the incident. The exact details surrounding the disagreement between the two employees that led to the violence are still under investigation. However, the tragedy has already sparked serious concerns regarding workplace safety and conflict resolution, particularly in large-scale, high-stress environments such as Amazon’s Fulfillment Centers.
At this time, Amazon has not issued a public statement regarding the incident. The company, which invested heavily in Baton Rouge—including the $200 million facility that replaced the former Cortana Mall—has seen its operations become a cornerstone of local economic growth. Amazon’s reputation for operational excellence and commitment to employee welfare is now under intense scrutiny, as the community seeks answers and demands accountability.
The impact of this tragedy extends far beyond the walls of the Fulfillment Center, rippling throughout the Baton Rouge community. The once-declining Cortana area had seen a resurgence with Amazon’s arrival, bringing with it new businesses such as Starbucks, Family Dollar, and Planet Fitness. Local leaders, including Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome, had championed the economic revitalization brought on by Amazon’s presence. The center was expected to create over 1,000 full-time jobs, providing stability to many in the area. However, this horrific shooting serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that come with ensuring safety and stability in rapidly developing areas, where businesses and local infrastructure may not yet be fully equipped to handle such crises.
As the investigation into the incident continues, authorities are working diligently to determine the circumstances surrounding the confrontation that led to the deadly altercation. No arrests have been made as of yet, and the identity of the second employee involved in the shooting has not been disclosed. At present, the focus remains on supporting the family of Daylon Anthony, as well as the employees who witnessed the harrowing event. Counseling services are expected to be offered to those affected by the trauma.
The tragedy underscores the fragility of life and the urgent need for measures to prevent such senseless violence in the future. Daylon Anthony’s family, friends, and colleagues are left grappling with the loss of a promising young man whose life was taken too soon. While authorities work to uncover the details of what led to the shooting, the community of Baton Rouge and the wider Amazon workforce will undoubtedly continue to mourn this senseless loss, and work to ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated.
