Brandon Montrell, a 43-year-old Black man from New Orleans, was a comedian known to many as "Boogie B." He had built a large following on social media with his popular and humorous "Hood History" video series. Though he had moved to Los Angeles to pursue his entertainment career, he returned to his hometown in December 2022 to spend the Christmas holiday with his mother and grandmother.
He was a graduate of Bonnabel High School and had attended Delgado Community College.
On the afternoon of December 23, 2022, just two days before Christmas, Montrell was getting groceries for his grandmother. He was sitting inside his car in the parking lot of the Rouses grocery store on Baronne Street when a gunfight erupted between at least two other individuals. Montrell was caught in the crossfire and fatally struck by a bullet. Authorities stated that he was an unintended victim and not the target of the shooting.
The New Orleans Police Department launched an investigation, releasing images of two suspects and their gray or silver getaway car to the public. They warned that the individuals should be considered armed and dangerous. In the wake of the tragedy, Montrell's mother, Sherilyn Price, issued a statement. "My son was not just the victim of a stray bullet," she said. "He’s the victim of decades of neglect that have left New Orleans’ youth with no hope for a future and with no real fear of consequences."
The investigation identified Charles Cannon as one of the individuals involved in the shootout. According to the district attorney's office, surveillance video showed Cannon returning fire after a co-defendant shot at him, resulting in the gun battle across the parking lot that claimed Montrell's life.
In March 2026, Cannon agreed to a plea deal. He was convicted of multiple felony offenses, including aggravated criminal damage to property and obstruction of justice, and agreed to serve a 15-year sentence with the Department of Corrections. The Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office noted that Montrell's family had been consulted throughout the legal process and was supportive of the resolution.
