Donald Alexander

Teenagers shoot a man and leave him for dead
Donald Michael Alexander, known affectionately to friends and family as “Loon,” was a 27-year-old Black man deeply rooted in his New Orleans community. He was the beloved son of June Marie Alexander and the late Donald Lindsay, and the step-son of William Turner. Donald was a father to three children, Donald Jones, Donnelle Roberts, and Zion Slater. He is also remembered as a grandson to Barbara Alexander Taylor and a brother to Shawn Alexander. His obituary paints a picture of a man surrounded by a large, loving network of family and friends, including uncles, an aunt, cousins, and four loyal friends who stood by him. A friend, Renelle, later wrote in his guestbook, "WOW, who knew you would leave so soon but you left behind 'GREAT' memories. You were a good person and an even better friend."

On the cloudy and cool evening of Thursday, March 27, 2014, Donald was walking in his native New Orleans. At approximately 7 p.m., in the historic Tremé neighborhood, he was on the 2200 block of St. Philip Street, a residential road lined with duplexes. As the city’s basketball fans were settling in to watch the New Orleans Pelicans play the LA Clippers, Donald was suddenly approached by two male teenagers, estimated to be around 16 years old. According to police reports, one of the teens was armed and opened fire, striking Donald once in the torso. The two assailants then fled the scene, leaving him gravely wounded on the pavement.

The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) received a call reporting an aggravated battery by shooting and dispatched officers to the location. Upon arrival, they found Donald suffering from a serious gunshot wound. Emergency services transported him to a local hospital for treatment, but his injury proved fatal, and he succumbed to his wounds later that evening. What began as a shooting investigation was now classified as a homicide, adding another name to the city's list of unsolved cases.

The NOPD Homicide Division took charge of the investigation. In the weeks that followed, detectives worked to gather evidence and identify those responsible for Donald's death. Nearly two weeks after the shooting, on April 11, 2014, the department publicly asked for help. They released a surveillance camera image showing three young men whom they described as persons of interest, believing they might have crucial information about the murder. The police hoped the image would generate leads from the community.

Despite the public appeal and the circulation of the surveillance photo, no arrests have ever been announced in connection with Donald Alexander’s murder. The trail for the two teenage suspects described by police appears to have gone cold, and the identities of the persons of interest sought by the NOPD remain unknown. The case has since faded from public view, with no new information released by law enforcement in recent years.

Donald's funeral service was held on Friday, April 4, 2014, at Majestic Mortuary on Oretha C. Haley Boulevard, where family and friends gathered to mourn their loss. He was laid to rest at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery. More than a decade later, his case remains open and unsolved. As of the latest available information, no suspects have been named, and the reason for his killing remains a mystery. Authorities have urged anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward. Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans has previously offered a cash reward for information leading to an indictment in this case and can be reached at 504-822-1111.