“Identity Theft Tragedy: The Fatal Encounter with Milton Scott”

On a hot July morning in 1973, tragedy struck the Scott family in Baton Rouge. Milton Scott, a 21-year-old LSU employee, was shot and killed by FBI agents who mistook him for a deserter from the Army. The agents had arrived at Scott’s home to make a routine arrest, but the situation quickly escalated into a fight, resulting in Scott’s death.

The events leading up to Scott’s death reveal a series of mistakes and misjudgments on the part of both Scott and the FBI agents. Scott, a member of the Nation of Islam, had a sign on his door displaying his religious affiliation, which made the agents nervous due to a previous incident involving Black Muslims. The agents, armed and on edge, approached Scott’s door and a confrontation ensued.

Both Scott’s widow and the agents provided conflicting accounts of what happened that day. Scott’s widow claimed that he fought to defend his family, while the agents argued that they acted in self-defense. However, both agreed that the loss of Scott’s life could have been prevented.

The LSU Cold Case Project conducted an investigation into Scott’s death, uncovering FBI files and conducting interviews with over 30 people involved in the case. The findings shed light on the significance of the encounter at Scott’s front door, which highlighted the preconceptions and biases that shaped the interaction between Scott and the agents.

Scott was described as a talented artist who loved jazz music and dancing. He was also a devout member of the Nation of Islam, which caused tension with his Baptist parents. The ideals and teachings of the Nation of Islam, as well as the racial conflicts of the time, played a role in shaping Scott’s beliefs and actions.

The tragic death of Milton Scott raises important questions about the relationship between law enforcement and young Black men, as well as the consequences of preconceived notions and biases. As the 50th anniversary of Scott’s death approaches, it serves as a reminder of the need for change and reform in order to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future..