"Why Carol?": The Unsolved Killing That Still Haunts Algiers, LA ​

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A Life Dedicated to Community

Carol Lombard Ross, affectionately known as the "neighborhood mom," was a 55-year-old grandmother and community pillar in Algiers, a neighborhood nestled across the Mississippi River from New Orleans' French Quarter. Her life was tragically cut short on the evening of October 30, 2017, when she was fatally shot just steps from her front door on Lebouef Street. Carol's dedication to her community was evident in her daily routines—picking up trash, mowing lawns for elderly neighbors, and encouraging local children to stay in school .

The Fateful Evening

On that October evening, a white Ford F-150 truck pulled up on Lebouef Street, and someone inside unleashed a hail of bullets. Carol was struck multiple times and, despite neighbors rushing to her aid, succumbed to her injuries at the hospital . The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) stated that Carol was an innocent bystander, likely caught in crossfire between individuals .

A Family of Public Servants

Carol hailed from the prominent Lombard family, known for their public service in New Orleans. Her brother, Darren Lombard, served as the 2nd City Clerk of Court; her sister-in-law, Juana Lombard, was the Louisiana Alcohol and Tobacco Control Commissioner; and her cousin, Judge Edwin Lombard, served on Louisiana's 4th Circuit Court of Appeal . Another cousin, Rudy Lombard, was a noted civil rights activist whose conviction for a 1960 sit-in was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. Despite not holding an official title, Carol's contributions to her community were profound and deeply felt.

The Aftermath and Investigation

In the wake of Carol's death, Crimestoppers offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment of a suspect . However, despite this incentive and the community's outcry, leads have been scarce, and the case remains unsolved years later. The lack of closure has left a void in the community and a lingering question: "Why Carol?" As Louisiana Senator and family friend Troy Carter poignantly stated, "It wasn't her being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It's the criminal being in the wrong place" .

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