NEW ORLEANS — A disagreement between two girls after the Morris Jeff High School graduation escalated by family or friends and ended up with gunfire that killed an 80-year-old grandmother, New Orleans police said Friday.
The slain woman, identified as 80-year-old Augustine Greenwood, was a mother of six children and grandmother to 15. She was attending the ceremony for one of her grandchildren.
“Just kids having a dispute at school,” said NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson. “The two females involved had nothing to do with the gunfire exchanged."
Arrest warrants were issued for:
- 40-year-old Laverne Duplessis, who faces a manslaughter count and counts of carrying a gun in a gun-free zone and obstruction.
- 19-year-old Brandon Rock, wanted for manslaughter and carrying a gun in a gun-free zone. He was one of the people who was shot.
- 49-year-old Frank Bartholomew, wanted for obstruction and
- A 15-old juvenile, wanted for bringing a gun into a gun-free zone. He was also shot in the incident.
Ferguson also said that six guns were seized at the scene. The two girls are not wanted on charges in connection with the shooting
“Six weapons at a high school graduation,” said Ferguson. “This tells us that people are bringing guns to a high school graduation and not balloons or cards.”
He also asked for additional information from the public on the case, which is not closed.
“This incident could have been prevented. Children will be children. We as adults have dispute. It may even escalate to a physical fight, but when you escalate it to bringing a weapon into play. That’s a whole different element.”
While Ferguson held his press conference, Augustine Greenwood was being remembered just a few miles away at the Rhodes Funeral Home.
“We're celebrating the life of her home going. It's just, it's just a lot,” said Greenwood’s grand niece, Shafrenia Parker.
The family all wore purple. It was Ms. Greenwood's favorite color.
Even with the police update, friends in mourning say there's much more to be done.
“The crime in general is getting ridiculous. I have 4 kids, don't really allow to go outside due to crime,” said Mioshe Riley, who was attending Greenwood’s funeral.
If you have any information on the four people who are wanted, call Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.