Viral Photo of Men Holding Gun and Cash with Santa Leads to Arrest

The Baton Rouge Police Department reported Friday that a man who appears to be clutching a gun in a Santa photo at the Mall of Louisiana was caught on an outstanding warrant from the state of Texas.

In the photo, the two men are seen holding large amounts of cash as they pose with Santa at the mall on Bluebonnet Boulevard in Baton Rouge.

One of the men appeared to be in possession of a weapon.

The photo has since went viral on social media, and some people are doubting the mall’s security precautions.

“How in the world would you allow something like this to even take place in the middle of your mall,” one person who posted the photo to the mall’s Facebook page asked.

The Mall of Louisiana’s Senior General Manager, Gene Satern, said that mall management is aware of the photograph. “The incident is currently under investigation with BRPD and I’m not allowed to release any information while under an active investigation.”

For years, the mall has displayed stickers on the doors of its entrances warning that guns are not permitted within.

The man is currently being held at the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison until he can be extradited to Texas on charges of aggravated assault and parole violation.