The early morning shooting death of Adam Ross, the brother of local entertainer Big Freedia, was the second fatal shooting and sixth incident of gun violence in Central City since the beginning of the year.
The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office confirmed 35-year-old Adam Ross was shot and killed in the 2600 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. around 10 p.m. Wednesday. New Orleans police officers found Ross unresponsive and lying on a sidewalk with a gunshot wound to the head.
A motive or suspect in the shooting has not been determined.
The family’s attorney released a statement to the New Orleans Advocate Thursday morning:
"My younger brother, Adam Ross, was fatally shot last night in a senseless act of violence in New Orleans," the singer wrote. "As the magnitude of this situation sinks in, I am canceling any shows this weekend (Jan 26-28). Thank you for understanding this very difficult time for me and my family. We are truly heartbroken."
Big Freedia shared photos of her brother on her verified Instagram account early Thursday morning.
“My heart is so heavy right now ! They took my baby brother from me I can't not get ready for this now he is in heaven with my Mama lord give me strength!!” Big Freedia posted around 2 a.m.
“Up can't sleep my lil brother really gone they took him from us please pinch me so I can wake up from this dream missing him like crazy my only blood brother!” Big Freedia posted hours later.
The pace of shootings in the Central City neighborhood appears to be high, according to WWL-TV Crime Analyst Jeff Asher.
"This pace, it's early, would suggest a significant uptick in violence," said Asher. "In general, Central City tends to be among the most dangerous neighborhoods in terms of shootings."
Pastor Jamaal Weathersby of the New Hope Baptist Church is observing the trend with a combination of grief and anger.
"A little bit of disgust that we keep on going down this road and we're unable to really get a handle on this problem," he said.
Weathersby and members of his congregation will hit the streets this weekend, hoping to inspire those at risk to step away from violence.
"There's somebody who cares about them, somebody who loves them, somebody who's willing to help them if they do indeed want help," he added.
Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to contact NOPD homicide detective Michael Pluikis at 504-658-5300. Residents can also report information to Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.