In the early morning hours of Friday, December 13, 2019, the sounds of gunfire echoed near Claiborne Avenue in New Orleans, forever altering the lives of a local family. Justin Wayne Weatherspoon Jr., a 19-year-old male, was tragically killed in a shooting that occurred at approximately 12:21 a.m. in the 2900 block of Toledano Street.
Responding to the reports of gunshots, New Orleans Police Department officers discovered two men who had been wounded.
One of the men, later identified as Justin Weatherspoon Jr., was pronounced dead at the scene. The second victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The Orleans Parish Coroner's Office officially confirmed Justin Weatherspoon Jr.'s identity on Friday, December 20, 2019. A devoted member of the City of Love Church, his death was mourned by a loving family and a wide circle of friends who remembered him for his vibrant spirit.
In the wake of the shooting, the New Orleans Police Department opened a homicide investigation and appealed to the public for any information that might lead to the apprehension of those responsible. Authorities urged anyone with knowledge of the incident to contact NOPD homicide detectives or to report information anonymously through Crimestoppers. To date, there have been no public announcements regarding any arrests or the identification of any suspects in the killing of Justin Wayne Weatherspoon Jr., and his case remains an open investigation.
