On September 11, 2023, NOPD Second and Sixth District officers arrested Rayshad Nolan (black male, DOB: 10-09-2002), Zyaire Cornelius (black male, DOB: 04-03-2004) and a 16-year-old juvenile male in an incident where a total of 14 illegal firearms were confiscated, along with illegal narcotics.

NOPD Second and Sixth District officers conducting surveillance in the 3000 block of Broadway Street reportedly observed a suspect, later identified as Nolan, concealing a firearm in his waistband. Before units could coordinate a stop, Nolan reportedly left the area. A second unidentified subject observed at the scene reportedly dropped a firearm and fled the area on foot.

As the investigation progressed, Nolan was observed returning to the area and exiting a vehicle driven by a subject later identified as Cornelius. Both were then seen entering a residence in the block, later exiting with backpacks and attempting to leave the scene in the vehicle. Officers effected a traffic stop on the vehicle and found Nolan to be in possession of a concealed handgun. A search of Nolan’s backpack revealed individually packaged amounts of marijuana, prompting officers to obtain search warrants on both Cornelius’ vehicle and the residence.

During officers’ warranted search of the residence, they reportedly observed a 16-year-old juvenile male flushing material suspected to be marijuana down a toilet. The juvenile was detained on scene. Further search of the residence revealed nine additional firearms of multiple types in a bedroom, along with ammunition and firearm accessories. Two shotguns were also found during the search of the residence.

The warranted search of Cornelius’ vehicle revealed a firearm and individually packaged marijuana amounts and tapentadol tablets.

Two of the 14 firearms confiscated in this arrest were found to have been reported stolen.

The suspects were arrested on the following respective charges:

• Nolan was booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center on one count each of illegal carrying of a weapon, illegal possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and of illegal carrying of a weapon while in possession of narcotics.
• Cornelius was booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center on one count each of illegal carrying of a weapon while in possession of narcotics, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and of possession of tapentadol with intent to distribute.
• The 16-year-old juvenile suspect was booked into the Juvenile Justice Intervention Center on nine counts of illegal possession of a firearm by a juvenile, on two counts of illegal possession of a stolen firearm, and on one count each of illegal carrying of a weapon while in possession of narcotics, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and obstruction of justice.

All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation is urged to contact NOPD Second District detectives at 504-658-6020.

Have a question or correction? Please email NOPD’s Public Affairs Division at nopdpio@nola.gov.