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NOPD Arrests Suspect in Homicide on St. Louis Street

by Aaron Looney

November 17, 2016

Categories: On Duty

Topics: Eighth District, Good Police Work, Homicide

NOPD Arrests Suspect in Homicide on St. Louis Street

The NOPD on November 10, 2016, arrested David Battiste (DOB: 01-07-1981) in connection with the November 6 murder of Thomas Merrill in the 800 block of St. Louis Street.

At about 4:10 a.m., Eighth District officers responded to a call of a simple battery in the area. Upon arrival, officers discovered the victim, later identified as Merrill, unconscious and lying in the street near the curb with injuries to his head. Witnesses told police that Merrill had been escorted out of a nearby bar by security staff when an unknown individual engaged in an altercation with Merrill and struck him, causing Merrill to fall to the ground. The subject then reportedly fled the scene. Merrill was hospitalized for treatment of injuries sustained in the altercation.

Through the course of investigation, Eighth District detectives were able to identify Battiste as the person who allegedly struck Merrill. Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Battiste on a charge of second-degree battery. Battiste was arrested and booked into Central Lockup on Nov. 10.

While hospitalized, Merrill died on November 14 as a result of his injuries. Based on autopsy findings of the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office, the death was classified as a homicide and the charge against Battiste were amended to second-degree murder.

Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is asked to contact NOPD Homicide Detective Daniel Hiatt 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.