Rudi Eugene Gastinell Jr., 39, was shot and killed in New Orleans in the early hours of February 12, 2026. Officers responding to a call at about 12:48 a.m. found Gastinell in the 3300 block of Hamilton Street with multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to a local hospital and later pronounced dead; the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office will complete an autopsy to officially determine cause of death.

The New Orleans Police Department has classified the death as a homicide and is actively investigating. Detectives are gathering evidence and seeking information to identify who was responsible and to establish a motive. No arrests or suspect details have been released.

Gastinell was a New Orleans native who lived in Algiers, graduated from O. Perry Walker High School where he played quarterback, and continued to play park football. He worked in the industrial sector and is survived by two children, siblings, his partner, and other family members and friends who remember his warm spirit.

If anyone has information about what happened on Hamilton Street that night, please contact the New Orleans Police Department.