On January 28, 2019, the NOPD arrested Michael Roberts Jr. (DOB: 02-04-1992) in connection with the homicide of Lawrence Varnado, which occurred on January 27, 2019 at the intersection of Diana and Verret streets in the Fourth District.
At around 12:48 p.m., NOPD Fourth District officers responded to a call of an aggravated battery by shooting near the intersection of Diana and Verret streets. Upon arrival, officers discovered a 29-year-old male – later identified by the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office as Varnado – suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Varnado was pronounced dead at the scene.
As investigation into the incident progressed, NOPD Homicide Unit detectives were able to develop and positively identify Roberts as the perpetrator and obtain a warrant for his arrest.
Roberts was booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center for second degree murder.
Anyone with additional information on this incident is asked to contact NOPD Homicide Detective Rayell Johnson at 504-658-5300.