On a Saturday afternoon in Metairie, Louisiana, the life of 47-year-old Herbert Noah Fischbach was tragically cut short. On February 20, 2021, Fischbach was at his job at the Jefferson Gun Outlet, a place where his extensive experience with firearms and his background as a weapons master in the film industry were well-utilized. A male customer, 27-year-old Joshua Jamal Williams, entered the establishment with a loaded firearm and was asked by a clerk to unload it before entering the shooting
range.
This seemingly routine request took a fatal turn as Williams became agitated and began firing his weapon. In the ensuing chaos, Fischbach and another individual, 59-year-old Veronica Billiot, were fatally wounded. The gunfire didn't end there; several other employees and customers inside the gun outlet drew their own weapons and returned fire. The exchange of bullets moved from inside the store to the area outside the building. Two other individuals were also struck by gunfire but survived their injuries.
The initial shooter, Joshua Jamal Williams, was killed in the shootout by the armed individuals at the scene. Authorities later confirmed that Williams was the aggressor who initiated the violent confrontation. Herbert Noah Fischbach, known affectionately as Noah, was remembered by his wife as a man who always went out of his way to help people. He had taken the job at the gun outlet due to a slowdown in the film industry caused by COVID-19 restrictions. He is survived by his wife and son.
