In the Algiers neighborhood of New Orleans, a community was shaken by the violent and untimely death of 55-year-old Carol Lombard-Ross. On the evening of Monday, October 30, 2017, she was fatally shot in the 300 block of Lebouef Street, just steps from her own front door. The incident occurred at approximately 7:15 p.m., leaving a well-known and respected family in mourning.
Lombard-Ross was a beloved member of a family with deep roots in the community; her brother was the 2nd City Clerk of Court, and she was related to a state appellate court judge and the state's alcohol and tobacco control commissioner.
Described as a civic-minded individual, Lombard-Ross was known for her dedication to her neighborhood. Friends and family recounted how she would often be seen cleaning up litter and mowing lawns, tirelessly working to maintain the appearance of her community. It is believed she was engaged in this very activity when her life was tragically cut short. The sound of a significant amount of gunfire was reported by neighbors, and several cars on the street were found to have bullet holes in them, painting a chaotic and frightening scene.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the New Orleans Police Department had not released any information regarding a motive or potential suspects in the case. Law enforcement officials stated that it did not appear that the bullets that struck and killed Lombard-Ross were intended for her or anyone in her family, leading to the heartbreaking conclusion that she was likely in the wrong place at the wrong time. The investigation into her death left a community searching for answers and a family grappling with the sudden loss of a woman who had dedicated herself to bettering her surroundings. There have been no subsequent public announcements regarding arrests or the identification of any suspects in the murder of Carol Lombard-Ross.
