In a chilling case unfolding in Louisiana, a mother stands accused of masterminding a deadly plot targeting the father of her children. Allegedly, she coerced her boyfriend into executing a fatal ambush against the man after he pursued custody and child support arrangements.

Hope Jackson has been apprehended and faces charges of principal to second-degree murder in connection with the death of Anthony Wesley Jr., who was tragically gunned down last week.

Her boyfriend, Riddick Franklin, aged 32, was previously arrested earlier this month and is charged with second-degree murder. According to a report from Baton Rouge’s ABC affiliate WBRZ, Franklin also faces charges related to illegal weapon use, possessing a firearm or carrying a concealed weapon as a convicted felon, and obstructing justice.

The violent incident occurred in the early hours of March 22, when deputies from the Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office responded to a distress call at the Jefferson Lakes Apartments, situated in the 12000 block of Jefferson Highway. There, first responders discovered Wesley deceased on a sidewalk outside the complex.

Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators revealed a chilling scene: the assailant shot Wesley from behind as he returned home. The gunman then approached and fired several more shots while standing over him, executing the victim in cold blood, as reported by WBRZ.

As detectives combed through the evidence, they identified a suspicious white Dodge Ram speeding away from the scene shortly after the shooting. By tracking the vehicle’s license plate, authorities linked it to Franklin, who was later apprehended during a traffic stop. Subsequent search warrants executed on Franklin’s truck and residence uncovered a handgun, clothing matching those seen in surveillance footage, and his cellphone, further implicating him in the crime.

During questioning, Franklin admitted to the killing, telling investigators he went to the victim’s home in an attempt to “squash the beef” and “cease fire,” but added that he was also “tired of being disrespected,” Unfiltered with Kiran, an unaffiliated website focusing on Louisiana news, reported, citing the probable cause affidavit.

Franklin reportedly told detectives that while attempting to speak with Wesley, he instead took out his gun and shot him multiple times. He then returned home, took the weapon apart, and washed the clothes he had been wearing, according to investigators.

As the investigation progressed, detectives uncovered evidence suggesting the killing was tied to a custody dispute involving Jackson.

Court records show Wesley had recently filed a petition for custody, visitation, and child support for the couple’s children, with a hearing scheduled in the coming weeks.

According to the arrest warrant, Franklin told investigators that Jackson had been upset about child support issues and the pending court case. He said she expressed concern about losing custody and told him she wanted Wesley “OV,” which investigators explained meant to “finish off or eliminate/kill someone,” per the Unfiltered story.

Investigators recovered messages from Franklin’s phone that allegedly show Jackson urging him to act. In one exchange, she wrote, “I want him OV,” and in others, she suggested time was running out and warned she would “lose everything” if Wesley was not taken care of.

WBRZ reported that Franklin said Jackson had “increased pressure” on him over the child support issue. He also recounted a statement Jackson allegedly made shortly before the killing, telling him, “I ain’t gone tell on you, you ain’t gone tell on me so we straight.”

Phone records reportedly showed the pair were in repeated contact in the hours surrounding the shooting, including calls and text messages both before and after the gunfire.

Investigators said Franklin waited in the parking lot of the apartment complex for hours until Wesley arrived home before gunning him down.

Both Jackson and Franklin are being held without bond and are scheduled to appear in court in April.