In the early morning hours of June 3, 2012, the life of 24-year-old Dashawn Hartford, a male, was cut short in a fatal shooting in New Orleans. The incident occurred at approximately 1:10 a.m. in the 1900 block of Third Street, near Dryades Street in Central City. An investigation into his death was promptly launched by the New Orleans Police Department.
For years, the case remained without a public resolution.
However, a significant development came to light with the federal prosecution of a violent street gang known as the 'Young Melph Mafia' or 'YMM.' This gang operated in the Central City area, controlling territory around Martin Luther King Boulevard near the former Melpomene Housing Development through intimidation and violence. Their criminal activities included drug distribution and numerous acts of violence against rival gangs.
Within this broader federal investigation, a leader of the Young Melph Mafia, Lionel Allen, who went by the nickname 'Lot,' was indicted and stood trial for a series of violent crimes. In June 2017, a jury found Allen guilty on multiple counts, including racketeering, firearms conspiracy, and his involvement in three separate murders. One of these murders was the shooting death of Deshawn Hartford on June 3, 2012.
In December 2017, Lionel Allen was sentenced for his crimes. For his role in the murder of Deshawn Hartford and other offenses, he received a sentence of life in prison plus an additional 35 years. The conviction and sentencing of Allen finally brought a measure of justice and closure to the violent death of Dashawn Hartford, officially attributing his murder to the gang-related activities that plagued that New Orleans neighborhood.
