The NOPD has arrested Bobby Smith Jr. (black male, DOB: 10-25-1983) in the investigation of a homicide that occurred on August 27, 2023, in the 2600 block of Poydras Street.

At about 5:58 p.m., NOPD First District officers responded to a call of shots fired at the location. Upon arrival, officers located two victims – an adult male and an adult female - on scene. The male victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was declared deceased on scene. The female victim sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound and was transported to a local hospital.

On August 29, the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office publicly identified the deceased victim as 44-year-old William Bailey III and determined cause of death to be from gunshot wound injuries.

Through investigation, NOPD Homicide Unit detectives developed and positively identified Smith as the perpetrator in this incident. An arrest warrant was obtained for Smith on one count of second-degree murder.

With the assistance of the NOPD’s Special Operations Division, Smith was located on August 29 and booked accordingly into the Orleans Parish Justice Center.

All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Anyone with additional information on this incident is urged to contact NOPD Homicide Section detectives at 504-658-5300.

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