Crime
Victim killed in I-10 shooting on Mardi Gras Day identified as 31-year-old Wesley Stevenson
New Orleans, LA – The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office has identified the victim of a fatal shooting that occurred on Mardi Gras Day in New Orleans East.
The victim, 31-year-old Wesley G. Stevenson, was found dead inside his vehicle on the Interstate 10 eastbound on-ramp from Crowder Boulevard, according to authorities.
At approximately 6 p.m. on Tuesday, New Orleans police officers responded to reports of a shooting on I-10 eastbound.
Investigators later determined that the incident stemmed from an altercation at a nearby store in the 5700 block of Crowder Boulevard.
According to police, two unidentified suspects entered the store where Stevenson was present. Shortly afterward, Stevenson left the location in his vehicle.
The two suspects then got into their own vehicle and pursued him, attempting to cut him off as he drove along Crowder Boulevard.
As Stevenson continued driving, the suspects opened fire, striking him in the head, police said.
His vehicle eventually came to a stop on the I-10 on-ramp, where officers later found him deceased.
Authorities temporarily closed the on-ramp just before 7 p.m. Tuesday as homicide detectives conducted their investigation.
The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office has confirmed Stevenson’s cause of death as a gunshot wound.
As of now, no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly identified.
New Orleans police continue to actively investigate the homicide.
Anyone with information is urged to contact NOPD Homicide Detectives at (504) 658-5300 or Crime Stoppers at (504) 822-1111.
Crime
Noemi Hernandez, Mother of Four Murdered By Her Husband Hector Luvianos Two Days Before Christmas
BATAVIA, Ill. — A devastating domestic homicide has left a family and community in mourning just days before Christmas.
Noemi Hernandez, a devoted mother of four, was fatally attacked in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 23, in what prosecutors allege was a violent act committed by her husband.
The incident occurred at an apartment building in the 100 block of Church Street in Batavia.
According to court records and police reports, at approximately 4:37 a.m., Batavia police were dispatched after a man contacted emergency dispatchers and stated that he had killed his wife.
Responding officers located the man outside the apartment building and took him into custody without incident.
When officers entered the apartment, they found Hernandez suffering from severe, life-threatening injuries.
First responders immediately attempted life-saving measures; however, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the suspect as Hector B. Luvianos, 37, who was transported to the Batavia Police Department for questioning.
With assistance from the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force, investigators determined the incident was domestic-related and involved only the two individuals. Police emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
On Dec. 24, 2025, Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser and Batavia Police Chief Eric Blowers announced that Luvianos has been formally charged with first-degree murder, a Class M felony under Illinois law.
He appeared in court the same day for a pretrial detention hearing, after which a judge ordered him held in the Kane County Jail while the case proceeds.
The Kane County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene, and an autopsy is scheduled to determine the official cause and manner of Hernandez’s death.
In the wake of the tragedy, Hernandez’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral and related expenses.
In the fundraiser, the family described Noemi as “the heart of her family,” noting that she worked tirelessly, loved deeply, and always placed her children first. Her sudden death, they wrote, has left the family emotionally devastated and financially unprepared.
As an immigrant family with limited resources and no life insurance, they now face the burden of funeral and cremation costs, legal fees, and other unexpected expenses, all while supporting four children grieving the loss of their mother.
The family is asking for community support to allow them to lay Noemi to rest with dignity and focus on healing rather than financial hardship.
The investigation remains ongoing.