In the spring of 2013, a violent feud between rival groups in New Orleans claimed the life of 22-year-old Desmond O'neal Bell. On the evening of April 23rd, Bell was with his friend, 26-year-old Orlando Rickmon, on the porch of a home in the 4000 block of Baudin Street in the Mid-City neighborhood. Suddenly, two assailants wearing hoodies approached and unleashed a barrage of gunfire at the two men. Both Bell and Rickmon were killed in the attack.
The shooting was not isolated, as an 8-year-old child playing nearby was struck by a stray bullet and critically injured.
The investigation into the double homicide quickly pointed towards a cycle of retaliatory violence. Rickmon had been a target before, having survived a shooting just two months prior. The man suspected in that earlier attempt on Rickmon's life was Isaac 'Ike' Jones. Authorities believed Jones was seeking vengeance for the murder of his father, and that Rickmon may have been associated with a rival gang known as the Mid-City Killers. The escalating animosity between these factions created a volatile environment that ultimately led to the deadly shooting on Baudin Street.
In the aftermath of the killings of Desmond Bell and Orlando Rickmon, the focus of the investigation centered on Isaac 'Ike' Jones. While it is unclear if he was one of the two shooters on the porch that day, his involvement in the ongoing feud was a key element of the case. Ultimately, Jones reached a plea deal with prosecutors. As part of this agreement, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Orlando Rickmon. This plea acknowledged his role in the events that led to the deaths of both Rickmon and Desmond Bell. Jones was sentenced to 30 years in prison for his crimes.
