In the early morning hours of June 22, 2019, the life of 17-year-old Yareielle Pittman, an African American female, was tragically cut short in a shooting in New Orleans East. The incident occurred around 2 a.m. on Chef Menteur Highway, near Knight Drive. When officers from the New Orleans Police Department arrived at the scene, they discovered Yareielle inside a pickup truck with multiple gunshot wounds.
She was pronounced dead at the scene.
A man who was also inside the truck sustained a single gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment and was listed in stable condition. The Orleans Parish Coroner's Office later confirmed that Yareielle's death was the result of the gunshot wounds she sustained.
In the days following the shooting, authorities had not publicly identified a suspect or a motive in the case. The New Orleans Police Department urged anyone with information regarding the incident to come forward and contact homicide detectives or Crimestoppers to provide anonymous tips. To date, there has been no public announcement of any arrests made in connection with the murder of Yareielle Pittman, and the case remains unsolved, leaving her family and community still searching for answers and justice.
