A promising young life was tragically cut short on a Wednesday morning in New Orleans, Louisiana. Lizzell Palma, a 16-year-old female, was fatally shot as she was walking to school. An honor roll student at Walter L. Cohen High School, Palma was a junior with a bright future and aspirations for a successful college career ahead of her. The incident, which has been classified as a homicide by the New Orleans Police Department, is described by neighbors as a murder-suicide.
The tragic
event unfolded in the Algiers neighborhood, in the 1800 block of Jo Ann Place. Palma was walking with her sister around 7:30 a.m. when she was confronted by her 20-year-old ex-boyfriend. Witnesses reported hearing Palma scream for help before she was shot. According to neighbors, the suspect had been seen pacing back and forth in the area for nearly an hour before the shooting, seemingly waiting for her to emerge from her home. One neighbor's security camera captured the man lurking outside. Another witness stated they saw the man stalking around the house earlier that morning.
The suspect was identified as Owen Zedani Salgatada Oro, a former student at Cohen High School. After shooting Palma, Salgatada Oro turned the gun on himself. When police officers arrived at the scene shortly before 8 a.m., they found both individuals with gunshot wounds. Lizzell Palma was pronounced dead at the scene. Her ex-boyfriend was transported to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries.
The community was left in shock and mourning. A memorial for Palma grew outside her home as people paid their respects. Her high school released a statement expressing their grief over the loss of a beloved student and made counseling services available to students and staff. Police confirmed that Palma and Salgatada Oro had been in a previous relationship. As the perpetrator is deceased, the investigation is not expected to lead to any arrests or trial.
