A 16-year-old girl was fatally shot Wednesday morning while walking to school in New Orleans, in what police believe was a murder-suicide.
According to the New Orleans Police Department, officers were called to the 1800 block of Jo Ann Place in the Algiers neighborhood around 8 a.m. When they arrived, they found two people suffering from gunshot wounds — a 16-year-old girl and a 20-year-old man.
The teen, identified by family and school officials as Lizzell Palma, a junior at Walter L. Cohen High School, was pronounced dead at the scene. The man later died at a nearby hospital.
Witnesses told investigators the man approached Palma as she was walking to her school bus stop, shot her, and then turned the gun on himself. Police confirmed that the shooting appears to be an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the public.
In a statement, school officials at Walter L. Cohen High described Palma as a “beloved member of the Class of 2027 and an honor roll student,” adding that grief counselors would be available for students and staff.
Authorities have not yet released the identity of the 20-year-old suspect, pending notification of family.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers of Greater New Orleans at 504-822-1111.