Brandon BEE Joseph Sarapuru was 21 when he was shot in the chest and killed on June 3, 2015, in New Orleans East. The shooting occurred down the street from Shantrell Knox’s home during an altercation in which Sarapuru is believed to have been an innocent bystander.

Witnesses named Torrel Knox as a primary participant in the fight and said they saw him flee with a gun. Investigators later recovered a suspected murder weapon at Shantrell Knox’s residence; the gun had been wrapped in a towel that was linked to Torrel Knox by DNA. An arrest warrant for Torrel Knox was issued by November 2015 after prosecutors dropped earlier charges against another man, Robert Mitchell, in March.

Torrel Knox remained a fugitive until U.S. Marshals arrested him at his mother’s home in September 2018; he was found with an illegally concealed weapon and allegedly made threats to arresting officers. His mother was booked as an accessory after the fact. Torrel Knox was charged with second-degree murder, public intimidation, and illegal gun possession in connection with Sarapuru’s death.

If anyone knew Brandon, saw him that day, or has information about the confrontation on June 3, please come forward.