A quiet Wednesday morning in the Algiers neighborhood of New Orleans ended in tragedy when 16-year-old Lizzell Palma was shot and killed while walking to her school bus stop. According to the New Orleans Police Department, dispatchers received a call at approximately 7:45 a.m., and officers arrived at the scene around 8 a.m. Investigators report that the incident unfolded as a murder-suicide, marking the fifth such case in the city since late September.
Palma, a junior at Walter L. Cohen High School, had been walking in the area when a 20-year-old man followed her and shot her at close range. He then turned the gun on himself. Palma was declared dead at the scene; the man was rushed to a nearby hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.
In the wake of the shooting, Cohen High issued a statement announcing the school would remain closed for the day. The administration extended heartfelt condolences to Palma’s family and indicated grief support services would be available for students and staff.
Friends and classmates remember Lizzell as a bright, promising teenager—someone who cared, laughed, and had plans for a future. The community is now in shock, grappling with the sudden loss of one of its youngest members under such senseless circumstances.
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether Palma knew the man who followed her, and details surrounding what led to his actions remain unclear. Detectives continue to piece together motive and timeline. They are urging anyone with information to contact CrimeStoppers at 504-822-1111.
Community leaders are asking for prayers and support for Palma’s family, and for heightened vigilance as investigations into the case proceed. The incident has reignited concern about youth safety and gun violence in neighborhoods where students should feel secure walking to school.
As the investigation continues, the city mourns a life ended far too soon, and a family now left with an empty morning seat at the bus stop. Authorities promise updates as soon as new information becomes available.