Today, in accordance with its Critical Incident Recordings Policy, the NOPD released to members of the media body-worn camera footage from an officer-involved shooting incident that occurred on July 27 in the 6100 block of Painters Street and led to the arrest of two homicide suspects.

The incident occurred during the investigation of a homicide that occurred in the 3900 block of Ulloa Street just hours earlier leaving one person dead and another injured.

In this incident, NOPD First District officers responded to reported gunfire at the location and discovered the victims – an adult female and an adult male – both with gunshot wounds. The female victim was pronounced deceased on scene, while the male victim was transported for treatment of injuries. On July 31, the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office identified the homicide victim as 30-year-old Markeisha Hunter.

Using video surveillance camera footage, NOPD officers and detectives viewed the suspects flee the scene in a white GMC Yukon that was later confirmed to have been stolen. A few hours later, officers searching in the 6100 block of Painters Street located the stolen vehicle and two subjects matching a description of the perpetrators. As the officers attempted to conduct a suspicious persons stop on the two subjects, identified as 30-year-old Desmond Henry and 31-year-old Jessie Carter, both suspects fled on foot. A brief pursuit ensued before both were apprehended.

During the apprehension, an officer’s weapon discharged, and Henry sustained a gunshot wound to the leg. While fleeing, Carter made contact with a police vehicle in motion and sustained non-gunshot injuries in the incident.

After apprehension, the responding officers immediately rendered First Aid to Henry’s gunshot wound by applying a tourniquet to his leg while waiting for EMS to arrive. Both suspects were transported to a local hospital for treatment, as was an NOPD officer who sustained a knee injury during the incident. The officer was treated and subsequently released. A weapon was recovered in Henry’s possession and additional weapons were also recovered at the scene.

While the Public Integrity Bureau’s Force Investigation Team continues its investigation into the firearm discharge, preliminary findings established through a review of the evidence point to the officer’s firearm discharge being unintentional. Additionally, the contact between Carter and the police vehicle is under investigation by both the NOPD Traffic Division and the Force Investigation Team.

Upon release from medical care, Henry was booked with resisting arrest, felon in possession of a firearm, illegal possession of a firearm and illegal possession of stolen things. Carter was booked with resisting arrest, illegal possession of stolen things, and placed on a hold for probation violation. Both have also since been charged with second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder in connection with the homicide investigation.

Both the officer who discharged his firearm and the driver of the police vehicle that contacted the victim are currently under administrative reassignment.

During this incident, the Federal Consent Decree Monitoring Team and the Independent Police Monitor were also on scene and continue to monitor the investigation.

All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Anyone with additional information on the homicide incident is urged to contact NOPD Homicide Section detectives at 504-658-5330.

Anyone with additional information on the officer-involved shooting incident is urged to contact NOPD’s Public Integrity Bureau at 504-658-6800.

Have a question or correction? Please email NOPD’s Public Affairs Division at nopdpio@nola.gov.