Members of the NOPD Violent Offenders Warrant Squad and the U.S. Marshals today (January 5, 2018) arrested David Hester (DOB: 06-24-1989) in connection with the fatal shooting of Vashawn Tate on December 4, 2017 in the 7800 block of South Coronet Court.

At about 6:30 p.m., Seventh District officers responded to a call of shots fired in the 7800 block of South Coronet Court. The incident signal was later changed to an aggravated battery by shooting. Upon arrival, officers located an unresponsive black male – later identified as Tate – lying in a driveway and suffering from multiple apparent gunshot wounds to the head and forearm. Tate was transported to an area hospital for treatment, but died on December 17 as a result of his injuries. At that time, NOPD Homicide detectives took over the investigation.

As investigation progressed, detectives were able to develop Hester as the perpetrator.

Hester was booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center for second degree murder, simple criminal damage to property, possession of a firearm by a person convicted of domestic abuse battery and illegal use of weapons. In addition, Hester was also arrested on additional warrants for simple battery domestic, simple criminal damage to property and violations of protective orders in an incident that occurred on November 19, 2017 in the 6600 block of Lake Willow Drive, as well as on four court capias warrants.

Anyone with additional information in this incident is asked to contact the NOPD Homicide Division at 504-658-5300.