Kenneth Smith Jr. Obituary, Death – The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office has identified the 15-year-old boy who was fatally shot in the Lower Ninth Ward on Monday night as Kenneth Smith Jr. The tragic incident occurred near the intersection of St. Maurice Avenue and North Prieur Street. Smith was one of two people killed by gunfire in separate but possibly related shootings that evening. The second victim, 62-year-old D’Angelo Davis, was shot on Bienville Street.
The deadly night has left the local community shaken and in search of answers. According to residents, the neighborhood was disturbed by the sound of loud gunfire that continued into the early hours. Some neighbors recalled what sounded like a gathering of young people just before the violence erupted. Jessica Mullen, a local resident, described the timeline, saying it had been quiet until suddenly she heard five or six rapid gunshots. She explained that a group of teenagers had gathered for what seemed to be a party, and soon after, the shooting occurred.
The New Orleans Police Department reported that a teenage boy was walking back from a nearby store when he was confronted by at least four individuals. Gunfire broke out during this encounter. Two people were taken to a hospital shortly afterward, and Smith later died from his injuries.
Another resident, speaking anonymously, said they heard people saying someone had been shot, but they didn’t see anything directly. They also couldn’t determine the identities or ages of those involved.
Home security cameras, including footage from Ring devices, captured critical moments around the time of the shooting. One video reportedly showed a group of teens walking down the street around 2:20 a.m., followed by them running back around 2:40 a.m. Police arrived on the scene shortly before 3 a.m. Another nearby video appeared to show officers searching the area with flashlights.
Some neighbors expressed frustration that no emergency vehicles were heard responding in real-time. One person noted that during shootings, they typically stay inside and wait for first responders, but this time, they didn’t hear any sirens from police or ambulances.
It wasn’t until late Monday morning that many in the neighborhood, including Jessica Mullen, learned that a teenager had lost his life. Mullen expressed sadness over the loss, noting that the boy likely had a bright future ahead of him. She also stressed the need for more programs or activities in the neighborhood to engage youth and provide positive alternatives.
At this point, police have not confirmed the exact age or details about the other juveniles involved. Authorities continue to investigate the shooting, and the owners of the home where the teen gathering reportedly took place have chosen not to comment.
As the investigation continues, community members mourn the loss of a young life and hope for justice and safety in their neighborhood.