Lilly Russell, a 50-year-old woman, was killed in New Orleans on November 27, 1987, in a violent and senseless act. Her death was the result of a calculated plan by two men, Tyrone Bridges and his accomplice, Jimmy Johnson. The two men deliberately rammed Lilly's car on a New Orleans street. When she got out of her vehicle to assess the damage, Bridges, a career criminal with a long record of arrests, confronted her.
Brandishing a pistol, Bridges demanded money from Lilly.
When she refused to comply with his demands, he fatally shot her. The brazenness of the crime sent shockwaves through the community. Less than two weeks after Lilly's murder, the investigation took a dramatic turn. On December 7, 1987, police officers attempted to stop Tyrone Bridges for questioning. In the ensuing confrontation, Bridges drew a stolen pistol and was shot and killed by the officers.
Ballistics tests later confirmed that the gun Bridges was carrying was the same weapon used to murder Lilly Russell. His death closed the case on his direct involvement in her killing. His accomplice, Jimmy Johnson, was left to face the justice system and was slated to stand trial for his role as an accessory in the homicide.
