Houston, Texas – After nearly 50 years, the cold case of Louis Jean Batiste, who was shot and killed during a dice game in the Third Ward, has been solved. Authorities in Houston are now seeking assistance in locating Batiste’s family to share the latest developments.
Houston police have reopened Batiste’s case, which is one of many unsolved murders of Black men from the 1970s undergoing reinvestigation following the receipt of a grant known as The Emmett Till Grant in 2021. Despite the lack of physical evidence, investigators are delving into the events of May 29, 1976, when the fatal shooting occurred during a dice game among a group of 20 individuals in the Third Ward.
The altercation took a deadly turn when a gun was introduced into the mix, leading to Batiste’s demise. The subsequent police investigation saw witnesses being interviewed and efforts made to build a case against Booker Ballenger, the man accused of shooting Batiste. However, due to insufficient evidence at the time, charges were not pursued by the district attorney’s office.
Years went by, and Batiste’s case remained stagnant until recent breakthroughs emerged with an opportunity to bring justice to his memory. Ballenger, now deceased, is posthumously facing murder charges, shedding light on a case that had long been forgotten.
With the Emmett Till grant funding further investigations into similar cold cases from the 1970s, Houston police are actively reaching out to potential relatives of Batiste to provide closure and updates on the progress made in solving the case. Anyone who believes they may be related to Batiste is urged to contact the Houston police cold case unit for further information.
The reopening of Batiste’s case not only serves to bring overdue justice to his memory but also highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to address unsolved crimes from the past. Through meticulous reexamination and newfound leads, the resolve to seek truth and closure for victims and their families remains steadfast within the criminal justice system.
