By Eric Williams
The Orange Leader

 

A disturbance ended in a deadly shooting, leaving the former Vinton Mayor dead.
David Riggins, 64, was killed after a gun fired in an altercation between two men. Officers responded at approximately 6:30 a.m. Saturday to a reported shooting in the 100000 block of Knights Bridge Court, according to a press release from Baton Rouge Police Sgt. McKneely.
Baton Rouge Police arrested Vernon Mosby, 34, in connection with Riggins’ death.
According to media sources in Baton Rouge and police documents, Mosby told investigators he jumped a fence to Riggins’ home and vigorously knocked on doors and windows until Riggins woke up.
Riggins opened the front door armed with a weapon, where the two got into a scuffle and the gun fired, striking Riggins where he died at the scene.
Mosby ran from the scene calling 911 but was arrested after he returned and confessed to Police what had taken place.
Riggins served as Mayor of Vinton, Louisiana for about six years from 2001 until resigning in 2007 to work for the State Governor’s Office.
“I have known David Riggins all his life and we were raised across the street from each other,” Nathan Taylor, of Vinton, said in a phone interview. “David carried his self well and was a very smart and energetic individual. David was not just a part time mayor, he was always a person who took a chance to do with he achieved. Riggins was Vinton’s first African American Mayor and had a legacy that will always be remembered.”
“No one who knew David would have expected this tragedy to happen, his family and life style was very respected to the Town of Vinton,” Taylor said.
The shooting remains under investigation by Baton Rouge Police.

Mosby remains in the East Baton Rouge Parish Jail on 2nd Degree Murder charges with a bond set at $210,000.