In the early morning hours of June 29, 2024, Felicia Cooper, a mother of two, was tragically killed in her New Orleans home in the Leonidas neighborhood. Described by loved ones as a lovable and happy person whose smile could light up a room, her life was cut short in what police have described as an apparent murder-suicide. Family members say she was a devoted mother who would do anything to see her children smile.
The incident unfolded after what neighbors described as a domestic
dispute between Felicia and her husband, Raymond Cooper. Family members reported that Felicia was initially held hostage. It is believed that Raymond Cooper shot and killed Felicia before turning the gun on himself. The couple was found deceased from gunshot wounds inside their home on Monroe Street.
The tragedy was compounded by controversy surrounding the police response time. Family members and neighbors claim that multiple calls were made to 911 to report the domestic dispute, with the first calls being made as early as 6:16 a.m. However, the New Orleans Police Department has stated they received the first call about shots fired at 6:51 a.m. and confirmed the double shooting at 8:04 a.m. The perceived delay in police response has led to an internal investigation by the NOPD's Public Integrity Bureau.
In the wake of her death, Felicia Cooper's family gathered for a vigil to honor her memory, releasing a sea of balloons. Her brother has spoken out, emphasizing the need for people to speak up about domestic violence. The family is now focused on supporting her two children and is awaiting the outcome of the NOPD's investigation.
