Crime
18-year-old Nikyra Dedeaux killed in New Orleans car-ramming attack
The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Shamsud Din Jabbar, drove a rented white pickup truck into the crowded 200 block of Bourbon Street around 3:15 a.m.
Nikyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, an 18-year-old from Gulfport, Mississippi, tragically lost her life in the New Orleans car-ramming attack that occurred during New Year’s celebrations on Bourbon Street.
Dedeaux had traveled to New Orleans on Tuesday with her cousin and a friend to ring in the new year in the bustling French Quarter.
Her grieving mother, Melissa Dedeaux, confirmed Wednesday that her daughter was one of the 10 fatalities in what authorities are investigating as a terrorist attack.
“I just want to see my baby,” Melissa, 40, said through tears. “She was the sweetest person. She would give you anything, anything.”
The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Shamsud Din Jabbar, drove a rented white pickup truck into the crowded 200 block of Bourbon Street around 3:15 a.m.
The attack left 10 people dead and approximately 35 others injured. Jabbar also shot two police officers before being fatally shot by law enforcement.
Cheyenne, affectionately known as “Cheyenne” to her family, had not planned to be in New Orleans, her mother revealed. She had secretly made the trip with her cousin, also 18, and their friend, Zion Parsons, 18.
Parsons recounted that the trio had been leaving Voodoo Chicken & Daiquiris, a popular spot near Bienville Street, when chaos erupted. “Out of nowhere, I heard commotion and banging,” Parsons said.
Melissa Dedeaux’s niece informed her that gunfire had broken out, and the group began to flee. In the confusion, Cheyenne darted into the street and was struck by the oncoming truck. She suffered devastating injuries at the scene.
While the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office has not yet officially confirmed her death, Melissa said she is certain her daughter was among the victims.
“As a mother, when my niece and Zion said they covered her with a sheet, I just knew that was it for my daughter,” Melissa said.
By Wednesday morning, Melissa and her family had reunited with her niece, who remained visibly shaken, and began retracing steps through the French Quarter to locate the car the trio had parked the night before.
The tragic loss of a young life has left the Dedeaux family and the Gulfport community heartbroken. Nikyra Cheyenne Dedeaux will be remembered as a kind and giving person whose life was cut short in a senseless act of violence.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident, which has left the city of New Orleans grieving and searching for answers.
Crime
Angela Johnson and Her Son DeAngelo Johnson Killed After Shooting Inside Home in Chicago, Mother’s Boyfriend in Custody
CHICAGO — A 47-year-old mother and her 27-year-old son were fatally shot inside a residence in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood on the West Side late Thursday night, September 24, 2026, according to Chicago police.
The victims were identified as Angela Johnson, 47, and DeAngelo Johnson, 27. Police said a suspect, identified as Angela Johnson’s boyfriend, was taken into custody following the shooting.
The deadly shooting happened in the 800 block of North Parkside Avenue at approximately 10:43 p.m. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots coming from the basement of the residence and called 911.
When Chicago police officers arrived, they found the two victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
Angela Johnson was found in the basement with a gunshot wound to her chest. Police-radio traffic indicated she had been shot on the right side of her chest.
DeAngelo Johnson was found on the first floor with multiple gunshot wounds. Radio traffic indicated that he had suffered two gunshot wounds to his back.
Both victims were initially unresponsive and in critical condition. Emergency personnel performed CPR on DeAngelo Johnson before both victims were transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
According to police-radio traffic, one victim was pronounced dead at approximately 11:18 p.m., while the male victim was pronounced dead around 11:21 p.m.
Investigators found extensive evidence inside the residence, including approximately 23 shell casings in a basement bedroom. Additional shell casings were reportedly recovered in other areas of the basement, including the stairway, main room and bedroom.
Officers initially recovered a firearm and shell casings from the basement bedroom. Police later located a second firearm inside the home, bringing the total number of recovered firearms to two.
Authorities have not publicly stated who owned the firearms or confirmed which weapon, if either, was used in the fatal shooting.
Police also reported that DeAngelo Johnson was wearing an empty holster when officers found him on the first floor. That discovery prompted an officer-safety alert as officers searched the residence for the missing firearm.
Chicago police said the shooting appeared to be domestic-related and identified the alleged offender as the mother’s boyfriend.
Radio traffic indicated that a person had been detained by approximately 11:26 p.m. The official police report later confirmed that the known offender was taken into custody.
Two witnesses were reportedly available to identify the alleged offender, and officers conducted a show-up identification procedure near the scene.
Police have not released additional information about potential charges against the suspect.
The investigation into the Chicago Austin neighborhood double shooting remains ongoing. Detectives are continuing to examine the circumstances that led to the shooting, the relationship between the people involved and the role of the two recovered firearms.
The deaths of Angela Johnson and DeAngelo Johnson are being investigated as a double homicide.