26 year old husband murdered on Christmas night while heading to work On the evening of Christmas Day in 2015, a hardworking 26-year-old man named Christopher Watson left his family's holiday celebration to head to his job as a streetcar mechanic for the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority. He was a beloved husband, son, and brother, known for his constant smiles and for being a person who never sought trouble. As he drove his Scion tC, he was only about a half-mile from the RTA maintenance shed when his journey was tragically cut short at the intersection of
North Broad and Bienville Streets.
At approximately 9:50 p.m., in a part of the city that was typically bustling with activity, the sound of gunfire shattered the night. Christopher was ambushed in his vehicle, struck by at least 15 bullets. The brazen attack left him fatally wounded inside his car. His wife, Dominique, grew worried when he didn't call to say he had arrived at work, a routine they always followed. Using a phone tracking app, she located his phone at the intersection and rushed to the scene, only to be met with the devastating sight of blue lights and the confirmation of her husband's violent death.
In the wake of the shooting, the New Orleans Police Department began an investigation that has yet to yield an arrest. Authorities discovered surveillance footage showing several cars passing through the area at the time of the murder, yet few tips have been forthcoming from the public. Investigators did, however, identify a vehicle of interest—a dark-colored or possibly maroon sedan that was seen speeding away from the scene. The car was observed traveling downriver on North Broad Street before turning onto Orleans Avenue toward North Galvez Street.
Despite the public pleas from Christopher's grieving family for witnesses to come forward, the case has grown cold. The motive for the shooting remains unknown, and no suspects have been publicly identified or taken into custody. The murder was a devastating blow to a family already familiar with tragedy, as Christopher's brother had also been murdered three years prior. The investigation into Christopher Watson's death remains open, a painful and unresolved chapter for his loved ones and the city of New Orleans.
