In the early morning hours of April 18, 2024, tragedy struck in the Central City neighborhood of New Orleans. Douglas Patterson, a 71-year-old male, was fatally shot alongside his 21-year-old son, Dalton Reeder, in a double homicide. The incident occurred around 4:20 a.m. near the intersection of Martin Luther King Boulevard and South White Street.
When police officers arrived at the scene following a report of shots fired, they discovered the two men deceased from gunshot wounds.
The New Orleans Police Department's investigation into the killings quickly led to a significant development. While officers were still processing the crime scene, a 22-year-old male named Ronell Reeder surrendered to authorities at the second district station. He was subsequently arrested in connection with the shooting. A family member of the victims confirmed the identities of Douglas Patterson and his son.
Following his surrender, Ronell Reeder was booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center. He is facing two counts of second-degree murder for the deaths of Douglas Patterson and Dalton Reeder. The motive for the shooting and the exact relationship between Ronell Reeder and the victims have not been publicly disclosed. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have urged anyone with additional information to come forward. Douglas Patterson was an associate minister at the Greater King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church for 12 years.
