On a summer evening in New Orleans, 15-year-old Tyvien Jirouard, a Black male, was caught in a burst of gunfire that tragically ended his life. The incident occurred on July 29, 2024, near Evans Playground in the 2100 block of Soniat Street, where members of the Sophie B. Wright football team were practicing. Around 5:30 p.m., a car passed by the playground, and an individual wearing a ski mask emerged, firing multiple shots.
Tyvien was struck by the gunfire and was later pronounced dead at a local hospital from gunshot-related injuries. A 25-year-old man, who was also present at the scene, was wounded in the shooting. Authorities later confirmed that this man was the intended target of the attack, and Tyvien was an innocent bystander. Witnesses reported hearing as many as ten shots, creating a scene of chaos and terror for the young athletes and residents in the area.
In the days following the shooting, the New Orleans Police Department launched an investigation that led to the identification of a suspect. Yuan N. Buggage, a 24-year-old male from Chalmette, was identified as the alleged shooter. At the time of his identification in connection with Tyvien's death, Buggage was already incarcerated at the Orleans Parish Justice Center on unrelated charges. He was subsequently re-booked on charges of second-degree murder for the death of Tyvien Jirouard and attempted second-degree murder for the wounding of the 25-year-old man.
