Brandon 'Boogie B' Montrell: TikTok superstar killed in crossfire in New Orleans, suspects identified
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA: TikTok star Brandon 'Boogie B' Montrell has been shot dead after being caught in the crossfire of a gunfight in New Orleans on Friday, December 23. At the time of the killing, he was out shopping for groceries for his grandmother at a supermarket. The 43-year-old was gunned down outside a Warehouse District grocery store as he sat in his car.
New Orleans police have confirmed that Montrell was not the intended target of the crime. The firing took place between two men in the store's parking lot. Montrell was home from LA for Christmas. He had come to see his mother and grandmother.
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Cops have released surveillance pictures of two suspects and a gray or silver sedan getaway car. They have also released the photo of a woman named Dyamonique Smith they are looking to question, However, they have yet to make arrests in the case.
"The New Orleans Police Department’s Homicide Section is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying and locating two suspects wanted in connection with the Homicide of a 43-year-old man. The offense occurred on December 23, 2022, in the 700 block of Baronne Street," New Orleans Police Department wrote on Twitter, sharing images of two alleged suspects. "Anyone with information or can locate these individuals is urged to contact the Homicide Section at (504) 658-5300 or Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111 or toll free at 1-877-903-7867," it added.
The New Orleans Police Department’s Homicide Section is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying and locating two suspects wanted in connection with the Homicide of a 43-year-old man. The offense occurred on December 23, 2022, in the 700 block of Baronne Street. pic.twitter.com/2blNEVqHut
— New Orleans Police Department (@NOPDNews) December 24, 2022
Anyone with information or can locate these individuals is urged to contact the Homicide Section at (504) 658-5300 or Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111 or toll free at 1-877-903-7867.
— New Orleans Police Department (@NOPDNews) December 24, 2022
Montrell was popular for his 'Hood History' series of videos. In the clips, he presented historic locations throughout Crescent City, but his take would be humorous. The comedian had recently been living in LA to pursue his career in entertainment but was in New Orleans to spend his holidays at the time of the tragedy.
Montrell's mother Sherilyn Price has blasted the city of New Orleans saying her son's death was symptomatic of decades of decay. "My son was not just the victim of a stray bullet," she said in a statement, according to the Daily Mail. "He's the victim of decades of neglect that have left New Orleans' youth with no hope for a future and with no real fear of consequences."
"It's past time for leaders in our city and all over to do their jobs. It matters who the president is, who the governor is, and who the mayor is," she added. "Leaders create opportunities – including the opportunity to live in peace without fear of random violence. When crime and violence in New Orleans became worrisome, Montrell relocated to Washington D.C. and became a comedian."
"He was a really good guy," family attorney Juan LaFonta told Fox 8. "Always pushing himself forward. Never involved with anything negative. 'Folks need to understand that what leads to horrors like this isn't greed, it isn't drugs, and it isn't violent tendencies. It's the failure of our city's leaders to provide proper and even minimal support for families and youth."
Speaking of Montrell's mom, LaFonta said, "She's angry but not in a 'street justice' kind of way. She's more angry that there's no leadership in this city to prevent things like this and no help for these kids doing these kinds of things."