In the early morning hours of January 15, 2022, the life of 52-year-old Mario 'Fat' Harris Sr. was tragically cut short in a brazen act of violence on a New Orleans interstate. A male resident of New Orleans, Harris was discovered inside a vehicle on Interstate 10 East near the Esplanade Avenue exit, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds. First District police officers responded to the scene at approximately 3 a.m. and found him unresponsive.
Despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Harris was not alone in the vehicle when the shooting occurred. A 45-year-old woman was also present and suffered injuries from the gunfire. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The circumstances leading up to the shooting remain unclear, and in the months that followed, authorities sought the public's help in piecing together the events of that fatal morning.
In March of 2022, the New Orleans Police Department released images of a vehicle of interest in connection with the homicide investigation. The car was described as a white Acura, distinguished by a temporary license plate. This appeal to the public for information represented a significant step in the investigation, though it did not immediately lead to the identification or apprehension of any suspects.
Despite the efforts of law enforcement, details regarding any arrests or the identification of a suspect or suspects in the murder of Mario Harris Sr. have not been publicly disclosed. The case has left a family to mourn and a community searching for answers, a stark reminder of the persistent issue of gun violence in the city. Mario, a graduate of John McDonogh High School, was remembered by his loved ones as a dedicated warehouse supervisor and truck driver.
