In the intricate web of New Orleans street rivalries, the life of Elton Bo Fields, a 26-year-old African American man, was violently cut short on October 11, 2010. The incident unfolded on the 1700 block of North Rocheblave Street, where Fields was fatally shot in what was later determined to be a calculated execution. This act of violence was not a random occurrence but a targeted killing rooted in a bitter and ongoing conflict between local street gangs.
The investigation into Fields'
death swiftly uncovered the sinister machinations of the notorious 39ers gang. Detectives identified two key members of the gang, Terrioues 'T-RED' Owney and Gregory 'Rabbit' Stewart, as the individuals responsible for carrying out the murder. The motive, as pieced together by law enforcement, was to assert and elevate their standing within the criminal enterprise through a brazen act of violence. While Fields was seated in a car, speaking with a young woman, Owney and Stewart approached from different sides, opening fire and striking him multiple times in the face.
The pursuit of justice for Elton Fields became a significant component of a larger federal racketeering case aimed at dismantling the 39ers gang. The collaborative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New Orleans Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office culminated in the indictment and subsequent trial of numerous gang members. Both Owney and Stewart were convicted on multiple charges, including murder in aid of racketeering and causing death through the use of a firearm. For his role in the murder of Elton Fields and other crimes, Terrioues Owney received a mandatory life sentence, ensuring that he would be held accountable for his actions.
