On a spring evening in New Orleans, the life of 45-year-old Black / African American man Raymond Williams came to a violent end. On May 2, 2017, Williams was shot on Franklin Avenue. Despite the efforts of those who rushed to his aid, his wounds proved fatal. The New Orleans coroner's office later identified him as the victim of the shooting.
In the days that followed, an obituary for Raymond R. Williams Jr., a man of the same age who passed away on the same day, was published, painting a picture of a beloved family man. The notice spoke of a wife, six children, and numerous other family members and friends left to mourn his sudden and tragic loss. His loved ones gathered for a Celebration of Life Service on May 12, 2017, at the Christian Community Baptist Church to honor his memory.
Despite the public acknowledgment of his death and the circumstances surrounding it, information regarding the investigation into his murder is not readily available in online sources. There are no publicly accessible reports detailing any arrests made or suspects identified in connection with the shooting death of Raymond Williams. His case is one of many that leaves a family grieving and a community searching for answers that, to date, remain elusive. The narrative of his life, as remembered by those who knew him, stands in stark contrast to the unresolved nature of his death.
