In the early morning hours of August 6, 2023, the life of 45-year-old Lawrence Doody Journee Jr. was tragically cut short in New Orleans. A hardworking man known for his devotion to his children and family, Journee was found inside an apartment in the 7000 block of Lawrence Road, having sustained a fatal gunshot wound.
Initially, the call to the New Orleans Police Department suggested a possible suicide.
However, as detectives began their investigation, the circumstances surrounding Journee's death grew increasingly suspicious. The case was soon reclassified as a homicide, shifting the focus from a personal tragedy to a criminal act. The Orleans Parish Coroner's Office later confirmed that a gunshot wound was the cause of death.
As the investigation progressed, a suspect was identified. Joshua Badon, a 32-year-old Black male, was taken into custody for questioning. After gathering sufficient evidence, detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest. Badon was subsequently booked into the Orleans Justice Center on one count of second-degree murder in connection with the death of Lawrence Journee Jr. The motive for the shooting and the relationship between Journee and Badon have not been publicly disclosed by authorities as the legal proceedings continue.
