New Orleans Police Chief Shaun Ferguson says all four juveniles believed to be involved in the carjacking and fatal dragging of Linda Frickey are now arrested and in police custody.
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Chief Ferguson says the suspects, two 15-year-old females, a 17-year-old male and a 16-year-old female now face 2nd Degree Murder charges for the homicide. Investigators believe the 17-year-old male was driving Frickey's vehicle during the carjacking.
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Ferguson gave more details about the carjacking, saying Frickey became entangled in the seatbelt and dragged for “quite some time” before she was dislodged from the moving vehicle. Her arm was severed in the process.
The chief says two of the suspects' parents turned their children in after learning of their involvement.
“The parents of one 15-year-old female immediately called our investigators and turned her daughter in,” said Ferguson. “The parent of the 17-year-old turned her son in.”
Ferguson thanked the parents of the suspects for the difficult decision to turn their children into police custody.
The 17-year-old male and 16-year-old female were found together and arrested by investigators executing a search warrant.
Fergusson says he will ask DA Jason Williams to prosecute the juveniles as adults.
He says the brutal nature of the case justifies holding them accountable to the full extent of law.
“Look at what we are facing, I mean…brazenness…broad daylight…with no regards to the woman hanging from the vehicle. So, I mean, I think at some point in time we have to step up and say we are going to hold individuals accountable. There is no doubt in my mind we are going to come to some sort of place in which these individuals will be held accountable to our standards,” said Ferguson.
New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell issued a statement on the fatal carjacking.
"Yesterday our city witnessed a shocking and horrific act of violence," said Mayor LaToya Cantrell.
"It was startling beyond belief, and I absolutely condemn this senseless and unimaginable tragedy in the strongest possible way. I send my heartfelt condolences to the family of the victim, and my gratitude to the NOPD and Chief Shaun Ferguson for the quick and efficient work in apprehending the four suspects in less than 24 hours. I thank them for their diligence and professionalism in making our City safer. But it does not end with our police force. It takes all of us coming together to address the issues we face, and I am confident that by working together, we can make New Orleans a safer and prosperous city for all of us."