On May 10, 2023, the NOPD's Violent Offender Warrant Squad (VOWS) along with the U.S. Marshals have arrested three people in connection with two separate homicides that occurred in March and April of 2023.

Chante Mark (Black female DOB: 9-21-1999) and Brandon Ferdinand (Black male, DOB: 6-16-2004) were arrested today in connection with the shooting that happened on March 28, 2023, in the 8700 block of Almonaster Ave.  

The victim was identified as Darron Meilleur (black male DOB: 01-26-2004).  

Mark and Ferdinand were booked on second degree murder charges and taken to the Orleans Justice Center.

Also on May 10, 2023, NOPD's VOWS members and U.S. Marshals apprehended Irvin Allen (Black male DOB: 4-2-1995) in connection with the shooting death of Shawn Simms (Black male, DOB: 9-11-2006).  Simms was shot to death in the 7000 block of Lawrence Road on April 20, 2023.  Allen was arrested today in the vicinity of that shooting.

Allen is charged with second degree murder and was also booked into the Orleans Justice Center.

And on May 3, 2023, members of the VOWS unit and U.S. Marshals apprehended Charles Wade (Black male, DOB: 10-01-1984) in connection with the shooting death of Eric Cox (Black male, DOB: 9-26-195).  Wade is facing second degree murder charges as well as aggravated battery charges for the wounding of another person in the April 9, 2023, incident in the 2900 block of Oliver White Street.

Wade was also booked into the Orleans Criminal Justice Center.

All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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