Ryan Williams Jr., 23, known to friends and family as Rylo, was shot and killed on the afternoon of Saturday, February 4, 2023, in the Gentilly Terrace neighborhood of New Orleans. Driving home on Franklin Avenue, he was followed by a silver 2019 Toyota RAV4; someone inside the vehicle opened fire in the 3600 block directly in front of his house. Williams was struck by multiple gunshots, found inside his crashed vehicle, and pronounced dead at the scene. He had founded R, J & J Transportation and was raising a young daughter, Rayn. His father, Ryan Williams Sr., is a volunteer sports coach and mentor in the city.

Investigators traced the RAV4 to a stolen vehicle abandoned on Chef Menteur Highway, recovered fingerprints matching 25-year-old Derrick Theriot and captured his face on surveillance. Theriot’s phone was seized in a November 28 search and its location data placed the device near the crime scene shortly before the shooting; Theriot was arrested in December 2023 and charged with second-degree murder. Court papers did not indicate a motive. Separately, a jury later convicted 31-year-old Kobin Wright of murder in connection with the slaying, and the case is considered solved.

If anyone knew Ryan’s movements that afternoon or has information about the attack, please come forward.