Derrick Quincey Copelin, a 25-year-old male, was working on a drainage project in New Orleans on the afternoon of October 6, 2021, when his life was cut short in a burst of gunfire. The quadruple shooting, which occurred on Annunciation Street, also claimed the life of his 19-year-old co-worker, Zernell Lee, and left two others wounded. Copelin and his colleagues were employees of Groundwork New Orleans, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the urban environment and empowering young
people.
The brazen daylight attack shocked the local community. Witnesses reported that suspects drove up, exited their vehicle, and opened fire on the group of workers before fleeing the scene. The loss of two young men who were actively engaged in positive community work was a particularly bitter pill for the city to swallow. Tributes poured in for both Copelin and Lee, remembering them as dedicated and hardworking individuals with promising futures ahead of them.
In the course of their investigation, the New Orleans Police Department identified and arrested a suspect named Jakai Davis. He was subsequently charged in connection with the double homicide. However, the path to justice took a turn when, in March 2022, the murder charges against Davis were dropped. The decision was made after prosecutors acknowledged a lack of sufficient evidence to proceed with the case. Reports indicated that Davis's legal team presented evidence, including phone records, that challenged the narrative put forth by the police.
Since the dismissal of the charges against Jakai Davis, there has been no public announcement of any new suspects or arrests in the case. The investigation into the murders of Derrick Quincey Copelin and Zernell Lee remains unresolved, leaving their families and the community still waiting for answers and for those responsible to be held accountable for the violent and senseless act that took two young lives.
