A single mother was fatally struck by a stray bullet on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, where she was celebrating her 33rd birthday last Sunday.
Jessica Williams, originally from Chicago, was enjoying a special family getaway and had some much-needed time away from her children when tragedy struck during an early morning shooting.
“About me tomorrow,” Williams shared on Facebook shortly before heading to Louisiana.
She was accompanied by her younger siblings, mother, cousin, and other family members when the festive outing took a heartbreaking turn, as described by her cousin Kardajia Wells.
Their plans were straightforward: enjoy the weekend, take in the sights, and return to Chicago in time to officially celebrate Williams’ birthday.
“That was my goal — to celebrate my college graduation and my cousin,” Wells recounted.
After a night out in the historic French Quarter, they were slowly making their way back to their hotel.
Wells recalled that during their walk, two men became embroiled in an argument, but in such a crowded area, they didn’t expect it would lead to violence.
Nonetheless, police reported that this conflict escalated into a full-blown shootout, with at least one man brandishing a weapon. Bullets flew, injuring three individuals, including Williams and her sister.
The other victims were taken to a nearby hospital, but tragically, Williams succumbed to her injuries at the scene.
“How do you go to another city hoping to have fun and then… one person ruins it?” Wells expressed, visibly distraught.
Currently, authorities are searching for a “heavy black man” believed to be a suspect, who was last seen wearing a black and white hoodie. So far, police have questioned two women and one man of interest, but no arrests have been made.
Now, Williams’ family is faced with the daunting task of supporting her second-grade daughter and son, who is just starting kindergarten, following the traumatic event witnessed by many.
“I thought I could handle this, that tomorrow might be better, but it doesn’t seem like it will get easier,” Wells confided.
