In the summer of 2015, tragedy struck the city of New Orleans with the death of 18-year-old Jawara Givens, an African American male. A rising senior at the prestigious St. Augustine High School, Jawara was a young man with a promising future, known for his love of the outdoors, including fishing and hunting, and his academic achievements which had already garnered him numerous college acceptance letters.
He dreamed of one day attending law school and opening his own firm.
On the morning of Tuesday, June 30, 2015, Jawara drove his new SUV to the 6800 block of Lake Kenilworth Drive in New Orleans East. He had gone there with the intention of helping a friend who was involved in a dispute. Tragically, this act of loyalty cost him his life. While still inside his vehicle, Jawara was mercilessly gunned down. He was rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition but ultimately succumbed to the multiple gunshot wounds he sustained. The New Orleans Police Department quickly launched an investigation into the homicide.
The investigation swiftly identified two suspects in connection with Jawara's murder. Arrest warrants were issued for 22-year-old Trever Mitchell and 25-year-old Donovan Williams. In the days following the shooting, Mitchell voluntarily surrendered to the authorities. Williams was apprehended by police shortly thereafter. Both men were subsequently charged with second-degree murder for their roles in the senseless killing of Jawara Givens, a young man whose bright future was tragically cut short.
