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.
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.