Teen killed in drive-by shooting on interstate

An 18-year-old Ruston woman who had graduated from high school only days before was shot and killed early Saturday morning in a drive-by shooting that occurred on I-20 between the Tarbutton overpass and Tech Drive interchange.

Haleei A. Newton and a friend were eastbound on the interstate when for an as-of-yet unknown reason multiple rounds were fired at her 2009 Kia, Ruston police Chief Steve Rogers said Tuesday.

One of the rounds went through the trunk and struck Newton, he said. The incident happened around 12:20 a.m. Saturday. As of Tuesday afternoon, police had no suspects.

Rogers said the male passenger was uninjured and was able to steer the car off the road.

“When we got there, it was located on the side of the road near I-20,” he said.

An RPD officer on routine patrol north of I-20 heard the shots, Rogers said.

Newton was a 2024 graduate of Ruston High School.

Police said she and the male had apparently been to Arcadia prior to the shooting, but investigators don’t know if there’s any connection between that and the shooting.

“We’re looking for clues, any information we can get,” Rogers said.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting is asked to contact the Ruston police at 318255-4141 or Crimestoppers of Lincoln Parish.

Crimestoppers information can be given in several ways; either by calling 318-255-1111, text a tip to “TIP515 plus your message” to CRIMES (274637) or submitting a tip online at rustonlincolncrimestoppers. com.