On the night of August 12, 2025, gunfire erupted near the intersection of Allen and North Dorgenois streets in New Orleans’ Seventh Ward. At about 9:20 p.m., three men were struck; 37-year-old Brent McDonald was among them. He was taken to a hospital by emergency medical services and died of his injuries. A second victim, 17-year-old De’Von Franklin, was taken to a hospital by a private vehicle and also died. A third man was wounded and survived.

Initial investigative work focused on reconstructing what happened that night and identifying those responsible.