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Person of Interest Sought in Homicide on Governor Nicholls Street

by Aaron E. Looney

February 18, 2018

Categories: Be on the Lookout

Topics: First District, Homicide

Person of Interest Sought in Homicide on Governor Nicholls Street

The NOPD is seeking to speak with a subject identified as a person of interest in connection with the homicide of Russell Teal on February 5, 2018 in the 1400 block of Governor Nicholls Street.

At about 11:05 a.m., First District officers responded to a call reporting an unclassified death in the 1400 block of Governor Nicholls Street. The victim, later identified by the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office as 44-year-old Russell Teal, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators learned Teal was walking with another man in the 1400 block of Governor Nicholls Street just after 3 a.m. on February 5 when the unknown male allegedly struck Teal in the head, knocking him to the ground and unconscious.

The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office initially ruled Teal’s death unclassified and as the result of blunt force trauma. However, after reviewing evidence obtained through further investigation, Teal’s death was reclassified as a homicide. At that time, the investigation was handed to NOPD Homicide detectives.

As a result of the follow-up investigation, detectives are searching for the above pictured male as a person of interest only. This individual is not wanted, but detectives feel he may have information pertinent to this investigation and seek to question this subject.

Investigation into the incident remains ongoing. No further details are available at this time.

Anyone with information on this person of interest or additional information on this incident is asked to contact NOPD Homicide Detective Ryan Aucoin at 504-658-5300. Citizens with information that can help solve crimes are asked to call Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 1-877-903-STOP.