In the late afternoon of February 23, 2014, the life of 21-year-old Kentrell Bankston, an African American male, was tragically cut short in New Orleans. Known affectionately as 'Trelly' to his loved ones, Kentrell was a cherished son, brother, and friend with a passion for cooking and football.
On that fateful day, Kentrell and another young man, Shalom Smith, were the victims of a brutal double homicide.
The two were shot multiple times in the 6000 block of Craigie Street in New Orleans East. Their bodies were later discovered by a passerby on the side of the road in the 300 block of Kenilworth Street in the Lakeview neighborhood. Investigators determined that they had been shot at the Craigie Street location and subsequently moved to Kenilworth Street.
Despite the efforts of the New Orleans Police Department, the case remains unsolved. To date, no suspects have been publicly identified, and a motive for the murders has not been established. The investigation into the deaths of Kentrell Bankston and Shalom Smith continues, with law enforcement still seeking information from the public that could lead to a breakthrough in the case. The untimely and violent death of Kentrell left a profound void in the lives of his family and friends, who gathered to mourn their loss and celebrate his life at the Fifth African Baptist Church on March 1, 2014.
