In the autumn of 2013, a wave of violence was sweeping through New Orleans, a city accustomed to the ebb and flow of crime, yet still reeling from a particularly high homicide rate. It was in this climate of unease that Christopher Petty, a 30-year-old African-American man known affectionately to his friends and family as 'Chris' or 'Dooda,' became another victim of the city's bloodshed. On the evening of Wednesday, October 23, 2013, Petty’s life was tragically cut short.
A native of New Orleans and an alumnus of L.B. Landry High School, he was a well-loved figure in his community, and his sudden and violent death sent ripples of grief and shock through those who knew him.
The New Orleans Police Department descended upon the scene of the crime to piece together the events that led to the death of Christopher Petty. The investigation was launched amidst a backdrop of frequent violent incidents, making the task of singling out motives and perpetrators in any one case a significant challenge. Detectives worked the case, seeking to uncover any leads that might point to a suspect or suspects. Community appeals were made, in the hope that someone would come forward with information that could bring clarity and justice to a senseless act of violence.
Despite the efforts of law enforcement, the case surrounding the death of Christopher Petty grew cold. Information regarding a potential motive or any person or persons of interest remained elusive. The investigation stalled, leaving a grieving family and a community searching for answers that never came. No arrests have been made in the case, and the identity of who was responsible for Petty's death remains unknown. His death stands as a somber testament to a violent year in New Orleans, a personal tragedy woven into the larger, complex fabric of the city's ongoing struggle with crime.
