A Louisiana man originally charged with murder and feticide in the 2023 shooting death of a pregnant woman and her unborn baby has pleaded guilty to reduced charges, becoming the fifth and final person convicted in the tragic case.
The heartbreaking incident involved 36-year-old Kerisha Johnson, who was only days away from giving birth when gunfire erupted outside a party in Baton Rouge. Prosecutors say multiple people opened fire on Johnson’s vehicle after mistakenly believing they recognised the car.
Final Defendant Pleads Guilty in Deadly Shooting Case
Authorities identified the latest defendant as Derrick Curry.
Curry, who was 19 years old at the time of the shooting, was originally arrested on charges including second-degree murder and first-degree feticide.
However, court records show that Curry recently pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of illegal use of a weapon.
According to reports, he was sentenced to one year in prison but received credit for time already served, meaning he will not spend additional time behind bars.
His plea officially closes the criminal cases involving all five defendants connected to the shooting.
Pregnant Woman and Unborn Baby Killed in 2023
The victim, Kerisha Johnson, was killed in April 2023 along Carrollton Avenue in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
According to previous reports, Johnson had gone to pick someone up from a party and was only days away from giving birth.
Investigators said a group of individuals gathered outside the party believed they recognised Johnson’s vehicle.
Authorities say several people then pulled out firearms and opened fire on the car as Johnson attempted to drive away from the area.
The shooting killed both Johnson and her unborn baby.
The tragic deaths deeply shocked the local community because Johnson was so close to welcoming her child.
Other Defendants Also Accepted Plea Deals
Several other individuals charged in the case also accepted plea agreements over the past two years.
In October 2024, Gregory Parker Jr. pleaded guilty to reduced charges and received a six-month prison sentence.
That same month, Marques Porch pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice after originally facing murder and feticide charges. He received a deferred two-year sentence and was placed on probation.
In April 2025, Desmond Robinson pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact to second-degree murder and was sentenced to five years in prison with credit for time served.
The most serious sentence in the case was handed to Torey Campbell.
Campbell, who was initially charged with first-degree murder and first-degree feticide, pleaded guilty in February 2026 to manslaughter and first-degree feticide.
He was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Case Leaves Lasting Impact on Community
The fatal shooting of Kerisha Johnson and her unborn child remains one of the most heartbreaking cases in Baton Rouge in recent years.
The case also highlighted the dangers of gun violence and mistaken identity situations that can quickly become deadly.
Many people expressed sadness over the fact that an innocent mother and unborn baby lost their lives during a violent confrontation outside a party.
While all defendants have now resolved their criminal cases through plea agreements, the emotional impact on Johnson’s family and loved ones continues.
The tragic deaths of Kerisha Johnson and her unborn baby left a lasting scar on the Baton Rouge community and renewed conversations about gun violence involving young adults.
As the final defendant officially resolves his case through a plea agreement, many people continue mourning a mother whose life ended just days before she was expected to give birth. Although the court proceedings are now complete, the pain caused by the shooting remains unforgettable for the family and community members affected by the tragedy.
