In a tragic and violent episode that unfolded in New Orleans, a 19-year-old male named Kareem Harris lost his life. On the evening of Friday, January 16, 2026, a gunman chased Harris, who was already wounded, into the foyer of the iconic Dooky Chase's Restaurant on Orleans Avenue. The assailant followed him inside and continued to fire, fatally wounding Harris. The brazen attack also resulted in three bystanders, who were waiting to be seated, being struck by gunfire. Two of these individuals were reported to be in critical condition.
Kareem Harris was a graduate of Livingston Collegiate Academy, class of 2024, where he was involved in taking pictures for the school yearbook. He had briefly been an employee at Dooky Chase's Restaurant. His family described him as a 'good kid' who was not involved in street life and was known for his joking personality. He lived with his mother and was an active part of his niece's and a friend's young daughter's lives. His older sister suggested that the motive behind the shooting may have been jealousy and envy, stating that the individuals they suspected had a history of harassing her brother, including a prior physical altercation where he was jumped.
The New Orleans Police Department investigated the targeted shooting and, through their efforts, identified two suspects. On Wednesday, January 28, 2026, police arrested 19-year-old Micaia Kelly, who they identified as the shooter, and 22-year-old Anthony Johnson, who was believed to be the getaway driver. The arrests brought a sense of initial justice to Harris's grieving family, who expressed their sorrow for the other victims wounded in the attack and their hope for their recovery.
