A neighborhood dominoes game in New Orleans turned deadly on the evening of Saturday, June 15, 2024. At about 5:43 p.m. in the 8400 block of Spruce Street in the Leonidas neighborhood, 57-year-old Kelly Pernell Harrell, known as Big Kelly, was shot during an outbreak of gunfire and later died at a local hospital. Emergency responders discovered him after calls about the shooting.

Police arrested 40-year-old Brandon Plains on June 20, 2024; he was booked into the New Orleans jail on one count of second-degree murder. Authorities say Plains is accused of spraying bullets at the neighborhood party where Harrell was playing dominos.

Harrell was a New Orleans native, a father of four and a chef who worked at places including the Hotel Monteleone and The Hilton. He was also a former member of The Original Pigeon Town Steppers and remembered for his love of family, sports, music and his vibrant fashion sense. Does anyone have information about that evening or knew Big Kelly and can share what happened?