The NOPD today (January 3, 2024) arrested Jose Gabriel Gamboa-Escobar (Hispanic male, DOB; 08-06-1999) in the investigation of a homicide that occurred on November 5, 2023, in the 2600 block of First Street.

At about 4:05 a.m. on November 5, NOPD First District detectives responded to a call of a shot person at the location. Upon arrival, officers discovered an adult male had sustained at least one gunshot wound to his body. EMS arrived on scene and declared the victim deceased.

On November 7, 2023, the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office identified the victim as 35-year-old Melvin Alberto Rodriguez Manueles and determined cause of death to be from gunshot wound injury.

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

Gamboa-Escobar was arrested today by the U.S. Marshals New Orleans Task Force and booked accordingly into the Orleans Parish Justice Center.

All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Anyone with additional information that can assist in this investigation 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.