A night out at a second-line parade in Tremé ended in fatal gunfire on Sunday, November 19, 2023. Seventeen-year-old high school senior Layla Arshan McCray-Scott of Boutte, Louisiana, was standing near a gas station at Esplanade and North Claiborne Avenues when gunmen opened fire. She and 24-year-old Ahmontae Wishom were struck; Wishom died at the scene and Layla was taken to a nearby hospital where she later died.

Family described Layla as soft-hearted and friendly, with recent interests in traveling and modeling. Her mother said Layla was an innocent bystander, standing near a cousin’s friend when the shooting began. The New Orleans Police Department was investigating the double homicide and had not publicly identified suspects or announced arrests as of late 2023.

If anyone was at the second-line near Esplanade and North Claiborne that night or has information about the shooting, please share what was seen or heard to help the investigation.