Renard Matthews was 17 and a McDonogh 35 High School student when he was fatally shot on the evening of June 25, 2018, in New Orleans. Neighbors described him as a nice young man who liked recreational basketball and football; his mother said he was a homebody who enjoyed video games and had recently begun going out more after receiving a dog. While walking that dog near North Tonti and Independence streets, about a block from a local church, Matthews was shot once in the head. His phone was taken and emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene, with the dog reportedly still by his side.

A 19-year-old, Jonovon Parker, was arrested in connection with the killing and was indicted by an Orleans Parish Grand Jury on February 21, 2019. The motive has not been officially released, though the theft of the cell phone is noted in reports. His family held a wake that presented him seated with a video game controller and favorite snacks, followed by a traditional New Orleans jazz funeral to honor his life.

If anyone knew Renard, his routines, or saw anything near North Tonti and Independence on the evening of June 25, 2018, please share what you remember.