BATON ROUGE — A 24-year-old man faces arrest after a woman told deputies she was raped in her apartment early June 24 following a night of bar-hopping in the Perkins Road Overpass corridor, according to an arrest warrant.
Sequence of events, according to investigators
Court documents describe the victim's night beginning at about 10 p.m. at Ivar's Sports Bar & Grill, where she met three women who remained with her for the rest of the evening. The group then moved to Zee Zee's Grill, where the woman had another drink and a shot, and later to Duvic's, all establishments along Perkins Road.
| Time | Event (as reported) |
|---|---|
| ~10 p.m. | Arrived at Ivar's Sports Bar & Grill |
| Late night | Visited Zee Zee's Grill and Duvic's |
| After 4:30 a.m. | Three women and one man left victim's apartment |
| ~8:30 a.m. | Victim called law enforcement |
Surveillance video captured inside Duvic's reportedly shows the woman unsteady on her feet, stumbling and repeatedly trying to regain her balance. One of the women in the group said the victim "face planted into the gravel" as she was leaving, the warrant states.
Allegations at the apartment
The arrest document says the man, identified as Elijah Clyde, 24, and one of his male acquaintances approached the women while they were at Zee Zee's. The group of six traveled together to Duvic's. Because the victim was unable to drive, the warrant alleges Clyde drove her home in her own car while the other four followed in a different vehicle.
All six reportedly entered the victim's apartment, where the three women helped the victim clean her injuries, remove makeup and change clothing. The three women and Clyde's friend left the residence after about 4:30 a.m.. The arrest papers allege that after they departed, Clyde raped the woman.
- The victim reported the assault to deputies around 8:30 a.m..
- She told investigators her car was missing and that her roommate's keys, wallet, $40 in cash and debit and credit cards were gone.
- Clyde later told the roommate he had permission to use the car and said he had parked it near Ivar's so he could get another vehicle.
"[She] was all over" him
According to the warrant, Clyde denied that the encounter was nonconsensual and told deputies the victim "was all over" him during the evening. The arrest affidavit describes the woman's inability to remember parts of the night because of her level of intoxication.
Investigation and local context
The Baton Rouge case highlights concerns about sexual assaults linked to excessive intoxication and the responsibilities of bystanders. Police reports state surveillance footage and witness accounts played a role in documenting the victim's condition inside a bar. The woman sought law enforcement help the morning after the incident, reporting both the sexual assault and the missing items.
Authorities filed the arrest warrant on June 24. The case remains under investigation by local law enforcement. No further information on charges filed at county or district court is included in the arrest paperwork released with the warrant.
Residents and visitors who frequent bars along Perkins Road said they want clarity and assurances from both businesses and law enforcement about safety measures, though no statements from the bars named in the warrant were available in the court record. Those who witness potential assaults are encouraged to call 911 immediately and preserve any evidence that may assist investigators.
WE NEWS will follow this story and report developments as prosecutors review the arrest warrant and any charges are formally filed.
