New Orleans Police Chief Shaun Ferguson announces arrest warrants have been issued for four suspects in their investigation of a shooting at a high school graduation ceremony on Xavier University’s campus.
Chief Ferguson says the arrest warrants are for Laverne Duplessis, 40, on a charge of manslaughter, obstruction of justice and carrying a gun on a school campus.
Arrest warrants are also issued for Brandon Rock, 18, he is wanted for manslaughter, and carrying a gun in a gun-free zone. Rock was also shot in the incident says Ferguson.
A warrant for obstruction of justice is issued for Frank Bartholomew, 49, and a 15-year-old juvenile is wanted for carrying a gun on campus. He also was shot in a gunfight on Xavier University’s campus.
Police say the shooting happened when a verbal altercation between two woman escalated to gunfire, outside Xavier University’s Convocation Center where the Morris Jeff Community School graduation ceremony was taking place.
“It absolutely makes no sense that we have to stand here today to speak to such a senseless, senseless act,” said Chief Ferguson at a media conference today. “It is heartbreaking…it is heart-wrenching to think about it.
The shooting claimed the life of 80-year-old Augustine Greenwood was with her family for her youngest grandson’s graduation. She leaves behind six children and 15 grandchildren.
