Dajuan Wells Obituary – The 14-year-old teenager who was shot and killed on Monday at Chef and Louisa has been identified as Dajuan Wells by his family. Dajuan was a student at Mildred Osborne Charter School. His mother, in an interview with WDSU on Tuesday, expressed her shock upon hearing the news of her son’s shooting in Gentilly, as he was supposed to be on the school bus at that time.
It was later discovered that the car Dajuan was in had been stolen, although his mother believes he was unaware of this. Tragically, he was sitting in the back seat when he was fatally shot. Jalika Holmes, Dajuan’s mother, suspects that someone was following the car and that her son may have been a victim of mistaken identity. She also doubts that he fired back.
According to witnesses, there was an exchange of gunfire between individuals in the silver car and another vehicle. The incident reportedly began on Downman Road before 4 p.m. and ended at Chef and Downman. Surveillance footage captured a girl exiting the vehicle and seeking help at Empire Xpress while screaming. The store owners immediately contacted the police, although their response time was unfortunately delayed.
The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) is actively investigating the case and gathering more information. Witnesses have provided tips suggesting that another person inside the gray vehicle, in which Wells was traveling, was also shot in the neck. However, this information has not yet been confirmed.
Dajuan Wells was described as a teenager who had a passion for sports, music, and girls. He was loved by everyone who knew him. In light of his tragic death, counselors were made available at Osborne Charter School to support grieving students and teachers.
Anyone with information regarding the shooting that took the life of Dajuan Wells is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 504.822.1111.