Fifteen-year-old Malik Duckett was found with a gunshot wound to the head inside a vehicle in the 2600 block of Elder Street near Franklin Avenue in Gentilly Terrace shortly after midnight on June 17, 2023. He was taken to a nearby hospital but died of his injuries. Malik was Black and the only son of Patricia Duckett, who has spoken publicly about her grief and the family’s lack of answers about what happened that night.

Malik was reportedly with close family friends when he was shot, and his mother says those who were present have not provided information that explains the shooting. The New Orleans Police Department is investigating the death as a homicide; no arrests or public suspect identifications have been announced and the investigation remains ongoing.

If anyone witnessed the shooting or has information about Malik’s death, please contact investigators to help bring answers for his family.