In the city of New Orleans, a 25-year-old Black woman named Paige Osborne lost her life on January 13, 2024, leaving behind a family searching for answers. A mother to three young sons, she was known for a bright smile and a personality that was admired by those who knew her. A graduate of L.W. Higgins High School, she enjoyed dancing, shopping, and spending time with her loved ones.
The night of her death, Paige was with her boyfriend, Ken Scott, in the Uptown area on Soniat Street when
a double shooting occurred. Paige was shot twice in the abdomen, and her boyfriend sustained a gunshot wound to his leg. Both were taken to a local hospital, but Paige ultimately succumbed to her injuries after going into cardiac arrest. Her mother recounted the devastating news, sharing that doctors were unable to revive her. The fathers of her three children are also deceased, leaving the boys without either of their parents.
In the aftermath of the shooting, conflicting accounts of the event emerged. Ken Scott told investigators that he was shot by individuals attempting to break into his car. However, before she passed away, Paige reportedly told officers that no one had shot her and that the gun was on the bed, implying the shooting was not intentional. The New Orleans Police Department, based on their initial investigation, did not appear to be searching for any other suspects. Paige's mother expressed her belief that her daughter's statement may have been made out of fear.
Two days after the incident, Ken Scott was arrested and faced charges of negligent homicide and felony gun possession. However, after spending 60 days in custody, the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office refused the charges against him, citing a lack of evidence to proceed with the case. The DA's office indicated that more evidence could potentially lead to future charges. This decision left Paige's family in a state of uncertainty and grief, with her mother expressing a lack of confidence in the justice system to bring about any additional charges in her daughter's case. While he was released from these specific charges, it was noted that Ken Scott has a prior criminal history.
