In the streets of New Orleans, a violent rivalry festered, one that would ultimately claim the life of Elton 'Bo' Fields. On October 11, 2010, the 26-year-old African American man was driving his silver Infiniti M35 through the 1700 block of North Rocheblave Street when another vehicle began to pursue him. Inside the pursuing car were members of the notorious 39ers gang, a group with whom Fields had a history of conflict.
Without warning, a hail of bullets was unleashed upon Fields' vehicle, striking him multiple times. The car, now riddled with gunfire, came to a stop as the assailants fled the scene, leaving Fields for dead.
The investigation into the murder of Elton Fields quickly pointed towards the 39ers gang. Federal and local law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the New Orleans Police Department, collaborated on a sweeping investigation into the gang's extensive criminal activities, which included drug trafficking and numerous acts of violence. Elton Fields' murder became a key component of a larger federal racketeering case against the gang.
The investigation identified Terrioues 'T-RED' Owney and Gregory 'Rabbit' Stewart as the individuals directly responsible for the death of Elton Fields. Witnesses and cooperating members of the 39ers gang provided testimony that detailed the planning and execution of the murder, describing it as a calculated act of retaliation. According to trial testimony, Owney and another accomplice, known as 'Rabbit,' followed Fields and opened fire on his vehicle, ensuring the hit was successful.
In the end, justice for Elton Fields came as part of a larger dismantling of the 39ers' criminal enterprise. Both Terrioues Owney and Gregory Stewart were convicted on multiple charges, including murder in aid of racketeering and causing a death through the use of a firearm. For his role in the cold-blooded killing of Elton Fields, Terrioues Owney received a mandatory sentence of life in prison. The convictions brought a measure of closure to the family of Elton Fields, who was remembered as a father of three, and marked a significant victory for law enforcement in their fight against gang violence in New Orleans.
