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NOPD Arrests Suspect in Two Homicide Investigations

by Aaron E. Looney

April 27, 2022

Categories: On Duty

Topics: Eighth District, First District, Good Police Work, Homicide

NOPD Arrests Suspect in Two Homicide Investigations

Today (April 27, 2022), the NOPD arrested Donell E. Barthelemy (pictured, black male, DOB: 08-19-2003) in the investigation of two separate homicides – one occurring on September 30, 2021, in the 2400 block of Ursulines Avenue and the other occurring on April 26, 2022, in the 400 block of Burgundy Street

Around 3:49 p.m. on April 26, NOPD Eighth District officers responded to a call of shots fired in the 400 block of Burgundy Street. Upon arrival, they discovered an unresponsive 3-year-old female victim suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where she later died. A weapon was recovered at the scene. An 18-year-old male, later identified as Barthelemy, and a 17-year-old male were detained for questioning related to the incident. The 17-year-old was subsequently released. The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office has not yet released the identity of the victim.

During the investigation, detectives discovered that Barthelemy had an active arrest warrant as the perpetrator of a homicide on September 30, 2021, in the 2400 block of Ursulines Avenue.  On October 4, 2021, the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office identified the victim as 34-year-old Brian Thomas. On March 16, 2022, NOPD Homicide Unit detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Barthelemy on one count of second-degree murder in this incident. Barthelemy was booked accordingly today into the Orleans Parish Justice Center.

Upon further investigation into the Burgundy Street incident, detectives obtained an additional arrest warrant for Barthelemy on one count of negligent homicide. He will be additionally booked on this charge.

Anyone with additional information on the September 2021 incident is asked to contact NOPD Homicide Detective Lucretia Gantner. Additionally, anyone with additional information on the April 26 homicide is asked to contact NOPD Homicide Detective Michael Haynes. Either detective can be reached at 504-658-5300.