The New Orleans Police Department has made additional arrests and is searching for another suspect in connection with the deadly shooting of a beloved bartender.
The shooting left Michael Garcia, 41, dead after shots were fired at the intersection of N. Claiborne Avenue and Desire Street.
Garcia worked for Care Forgot Beercraft and was known by many in the community.
According to the NOPD, the shooting stemmed from a fight over a drug deal, which led to seven people exchanging gunfire in total.
NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said Garcia was in the wrong place at the wrong time and was struck in the gunfight.
Those arrested in connection with the shooting include Alshawn Osama Watts, Joshua “Money” Emery, Caron Rondo Fortenberry, Bennalynn Ingram, mI’janae “Gunna” Ingram.
Bryan “BB” Dubose is still on the run.
About the shooting:
According to police, officers responded to reports of a car crash on Tuesday afternoon.
Police found Garcia, 41, inside one of the cars with a gunshot wound to the head.
He was transported to a local hospital, where he later died.
According to police, the suspect was identified as Terrence Leavell.
Leavell is facing charges of manslaughter, possession of a firearm or carrying a concealed weapon by a person convicted of certain felonies, and illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities.
His bond was set at $700,000.
During his bond hearing, Leavell and the judge got into a heated exchange to the point Leavell was removed from the court for his repeated outbursts.
During his hearing, he said, “They know I did not kill that man. They are playing with my life and charging me because I’m already on parole.”
Leavell claimed he did not commit the crime.
People who live nearby heard the gunfire on Tuesday. One resident says the shooting unfolded in a close-knit community, with several neighbors rushing to the scene to try to save Garcia.
“My neighbor said it’s somebody in a jeep that was shot in the head, and he was trying to render help to them while they were calling the police. It’s just like, wow, it’s so sad. I felt sorry for that person; he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I heard six gunshots, and it was an alert, and then I heard six more,” said Renee Gabriel.
Anyone with additional information that can assist in this investigation is asked to contact NOPD Homicide Section detectives at 504-658-5300. Those wishing to report information anonymously can do so by contacting Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 1-877-903-STOP. Tips can also be submitted online at www.crimestoppersgno.org.
READ MORE:Shooting that killed beloved bartender stemmed from fight over drugs; 1 sought, 6 arrested
