On April 14, 2003, 15-year-old Jonathan Caveman Williams was killed in broad daylight during a gym class at John McDonogh High School in New Orleans. Two armed teenagers bypassed school security, entered the gymnasium and opened fire in front of about 150 witnesses. Williams was struck by at least 10 rounds from an AK-47 and a semi-automatic pistol and died at the scene. Three female students were wounded and a pregnant student was trampled as students fled. A loaded handgun was found in Williams’s waistband after the shooting.

Investigators believed the attack was gang-related and carried out in retaliation for the murder of 18-year-old Hillard Head Smith IV a week earlier. Arrests were made in a wider sweep; the perpetrators were identified as 18-year-old Steven R. Williams and 17-year-old James Tate. Steven R. Williams was convicted of second-degree murder and given a mandatory life sentence, and James Tate pleaded guilty to manslaughter and conspiracy to commit second-degree murder and received a 15-year sentence. Others involved were also charged and sentenced for their roles.