On the evening of August 3, 2016, a wave of violence in New Orleans claimed the life of 40-year-old Gerard Howard. An African-American male, Howard was discovered by police with multiple gunshot wounds in the Freret neighborhood. His death was one of several homicides that marked a particularly violent period in the city.
Despite an immediate investigation by the New Orleans Police Department, no suspects were identified in the shooting death of Howard.
The case quickly grew cold, adding to the city's growing number of unsolved homicides. The passage of time has presented challenges for investigators, including the reluctance of potential witnesses to come forward and the difficulty of gathering credible new evidence.
The investigation into Gerard Howard's murder now rests with the New Orleans Police Department's Cold Case Unit. Detectives continue to seek breakthroughs by employing new forensic techniques and appealing to the public for any information that might lead to an arrest. Authorities have emphasized the critical role that community involvement could play in solving the case and bringing a measure of justice to Howard's family. As of now, no arrests have been made, and the case remains an open and active investigation.
