She was a writer, a dancer, a Dr Pepper enthusiast.
Martha Odom, 17, died after being caught in the crossfire of a shooting Thursday at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge. Odom, a senior at Ascension Episcopal School in Youngsville, visited the mall with friends for their “senior skip day” as graduation approached in just a few weeks.
Odom planned to attend Sewanee, also known as the University of the South, where she was going to study English and creative writing. Instead, she and two other classmates from Ascension Episcopal were hit in the crossfire in a food court shooting that police say happened when two groups started arguing and drew guns.
She died from a gunshot wound to the chest, the coroner’s office reported.
Police announced the arrest Friday of Markel Lee, also 17, who was booked with first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder, and illegal use of a weapon. They also released a photo of another suspect they believe was involved in the shooting as well.
Another victim, Donnie Guillory, remains in critical condition, police said Friday.
After Odom’s name became public Friday morning, an outpouring of tributes followed. Her classmates held a prayer service at Ascension Episcopal and left flower bouquets in her parking spot on what was supposed to be the final day of “senior week” celebrating their last few days of school. She leaves behind her parents and a younger sister.
Odom was an overachiever: captain of the girls’ soccer team at her school, editor of the student newspaper, a teacher at her dance studio. She won first place last year in the Lafayette Public Library’s “Writes of Spring” contest and second place this year.
“Her classmates, Ascension faculty, and our Blue Gator families remember Martha as a joyful presence whose kindness and infectious enthusiasm brought light to all who knew her,” her school shared on social media. The other two Ascension Episcopal students who were shot are recovering from injuries, and two more students were at the mall during the shooting, but not injured.
Odom planned to spend her summer before college at Ballet Austin’s summer intensive, a chance to “train in the timeless art of dance,” she wrote in the student newspaper. She danced at The Ballet Studio and Lafayette Ballet Theatre, who described her as a “joyful, young student.”
Ali Mejia, 15, who dances at The Ballet Studio, said she looked up to Odom and described her as kind and always smiling.
“If anyone was having a bad day,” she said, “she was there for you, even if she didn’t know you well.”
Odom’s family visited New York City over spring break, and she wrote about how much she enjoyed eating at Raising Cane’s in Times Square, attending Easter services at The Church of St. Mary the Virgin, going to a New York Rangers’ hockey game and seeing several Broadway musicals, including “The Outsiders” and “Cats: The Jellicle Ball.” She was an avid fan of the arts and frequently appeared in school plays and musicals.
In other writings for the student newspaper, Odom shared her observations about Taylor Swift (‘captivating,’ ‘empowering’), being a debutante late last year (‘had the time of my life’) and how much her soccer team had improved (‘the soccer team is a family’).
When she was named “gator of the month” at the beginning of the school year, she did an interview that her school reposted to social media Friday. She answered rapid-fire questions about her preferences, a pink ribbon tied in her hair: dogs over cats, summer over winter, books over movies.
She also took sharp interest in journalism and shared her fears about the press losing independence. In one student newspaper piece, she wrote about the inaccurate portrayals of journalists as lead characters in rom-coms, including “13 Going on 30” and “27 Dresses.”
“What did rom-coms get wrong about journalists? Their drive,” she wrote. “It takes grit to unearth the information in an article. It takes bravery to be that bridge between the people and their government. A lack of that grit leads to an epidemic of self-censorship, where writers hesitate to publish critical works for fear of penalties.”
BBR Creative, the Lafayette-based marketing and advertising agency where Odom’s mom works, said Friday that they were holding the family in their thoughts “as they face an unimaginable loss.” Ascension Episcopal also asked for continued prayers for Odom and her classmates.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, a Lafayette native, posted on social media about her connection to the Odom family, as she and other state political and law enforcement leaders called for accountability for those responsible for Odom’s death.
“The Odom family and mine have been friends for decades,” Murrill wrote. “There are no words for the devastating loss of innocent life. I’m praying for her, her family and friends, and the entire Lafayette community during this heartbreaking time.”
Baton Rouge Bishop Michael Duca offered prayers for victims, first responders, healing and peace.
“Our prayers are with those who were critically injured, all who were harmed, and every family whose lives have been suddenly and painfully shaken by this act of violence, especially those who have lost a loved one,” Duca said in a statement.
Odom summed up her beliefs in a Psalm from the Bible she shared in her Instagram biography.
“Behold,” reads Psalm 133:1 that she cited. “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.”
Staff Writers Claire Taylor and Kristin Askelson contributed to this report.
