Crime
Two Arrested in Connection with Fatal Shooting of U.S. Army Veteran Colby Scheffler in New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS, La. — Authorities have arrested two men in connection with the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Colby Scheffler, a U.S. Army veteran and Chalmette High School graduate, in New Orleans.
The suspects, identified as 18-year-old Julian Vicknair and 19-year-old Harry Darby, were apprehended with assistance from the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office (SBSO), officials confirmed.
According to Sheriff James Pohlmann, Darby, a resident of the 3000 block of Jean Lafitte Parkway in Chalmette, and Vicknair, of the 2800 block of Kenilworth Drive in Kenilworth, were both booked on charges of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.
The arrests stem from a fatal shooting that occurred in the early hours of Sunday, April 6, in the 7700 block of Willow Street in New Orleans.
According to the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), three individuals were driving in the area when gunfire erupted.
One of the occupants, later identified as Scheffler, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Another passenger sustained non-life-threatening injuries, while the third individual was unharmed.
After receiving intelligence from NOPD suggesting the suspects may have been hiding in St. Bernard Parish, SBSO detectives from the Criminal Investigations Bureau, along with agents from the Special Investigations Division, launched an investigation and secured arrest warrants.
On Monday, April 7, both Darby and Vicknair were taken into custody without incident at a residence in the 2400 block of Riverbend Drive in Violet.
They were subsequently transported from the St. Bernard Parish Prison to the Orleans Justice Center for formal booking.
The NOPD’s Homicide Unit is leading the investigation with support from the Violent Offenders Warrant Squad (VOWS) and the Violent Crime Abatement Investigation Team (VCAIT). Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive, and the investigation remains active.
Law enforcement is encouraging anyone with information related to the case to come forward.
Tips can be submitted to the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501, the Criminal Investigations Bureau tip hotline at (504) 271-TIPS (8477), or Crimestoppers GNO at (504) 822-1111. Tipsters can choose to remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward through Crimestoppers.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.