New Orleans Police Department<\/a> has not officially released the victim’s identity but confirmed he was not the intended target.<\/p>\nThe victim was a bystander caught in the crossfire, the department said.<\/p>\n
New Orleans Councilmember Oliver Thomas, a Democrat, echoed Price’s plea for action to make the city a safer place.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnother one of our own was taken senselessly. We continue to ask when will it end while seeking solutions for change. Mourning has become a way of life here, but have we truly become numb to violence and destruction?\u201d he said on Instagram.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/aside>\nNew Orleans, known for its nightlife and live music scene, had the highest homicide rate of any major US city for the first half of this year, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of data from the Major Cities Chiefs Association. <\/p>\n
The city tallied about 41 homicides per 100,000 residents. <\/p>\n
The city’s Democrat mayor, Latoya Cantrell, is currently facing a recall effort over surging crime. Petitioners have until February 22, 2023, to collect 53,343 valid signatures in order to put the recall election on the ballot.<\/p>\n
It was unclear Saturday how many people have signed the bid.<\/p>\n
Montrell was popular on TikTok and other social media platforms for his humorous \u201cHood History\u201d series in which he shared sharp-witted stories about the city’s lesser-known, but colorful past \u2014 much of which focused on black American tales.<\/p>\n
He had more than 226,000 followers on TikTok and more than 109,000 followers on Instagram.<\/p>\n
Montrell posted a \u201cHood History\u201d video on Fred C. Parker, New Orleans’ \u201cBlack Santa,\u201d just hours before he was killed.<\/p>\n
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The comedian was born in New Orleans but had been living in Los Angeles to advance his entertainment career, a cousin told Fox 8. <\/p>\n
Montrell had returned to Louisiana to spend the holiday with his mother and grandmother.<\/p>\n
He was waiting for his grandmother to collect Christmas groceries inside the store when he was killed, his family’s attorney said. <\/p>\n
He had reportedly been planning to attend a friend’s comedy show at a nearby hotel later that night.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was a really good guy,\u201d family attorney and friend Juan LaFonta said. \u201cAlways pushing himself forward. Never involved with anything negative.\u201d<\/p>\nFans and friends are already grieving the funny man’s loss.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou will be thoroughly missed my beloved brother. Thank you for the great memories. I was looking forward to us going on road and watching our dreams come true, \u201dRon G., a fellow comedian, commented on Montrell’s last post.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom one historian to another; you exist beyond your existence in the legacy you have left behind, in the lessons you have left, and the thousands of lives you have touched,\u201d fan and New Orleans resident Rubia Garcia said.<\/p>\n
The two suspects believed to have killed Montrell in the shootout are still on the lam. Policy shared surveillance images <\/a>of two people they believe are involved. <\/p>\nPolice have named Dyamonique Smith as a person of interest and believe she has vital information to the investigation, though she is not wanted on criminal charges, WDSU 6 reported.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n