On a Wednesday night, just days before Christmas in 2015, the lives of a young New Orleans couple full of promise were tragically cut short. Lionel 'Bumma' Delpit III, a 25-year-old man, and his 23-year-old pregnant girlfriend, Breon Stewart, were shot and killed in what police described as a targeted attack. The couple was eagerly awaiting the arrival of their son, who they planned to name Lionel J. Delpit IV, within days.
Shortly before 10 p.m.
on December 16th, the expectant parents were found inside their parked vehicle in the parking lot of the Wind Run Apartments on the I-10 Service Road. Both had sustained multiple gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead at the scene. The news sent shockwaves through their community, as friends and family grappled with the senseless loss of three lives. Delpit, following in his father's footsteps, was known as the big chief of the Black Feather Mardi Gras Indians, a significant cultural role in the city. Stewart was remembered as a bright and ambitious young woman.
In the wake of the killings, law enforcement officials stated that they did not believe the shooting was a random act of violence and that at least one of the victims was the intended target. Investigators urged the public to come forward with any information that could lead to the identification and apprehension of those responsible. Crimestoppers issued a reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.
Despite the initial belief that the couple was targeted, the investigation into the murders of Lionel Delpit III, Breon Stewart, and their unborn son has grown cold over the years. To date, no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly identified. The case remains a painful and unsolved chapter for their families and the New Orleans community, a grim reminder of a future that was stolen.
