A 19-year-old man was reportedly in the United States illegally when he was charged with the recent murder of a beloved tour guide in New Orleans’ French Quarter.
police arrested Joshua Aviara Bonifacio and two other males, ages 17 and 15, were arrested July 1 in connection with the shooting death of 43-year-old Christy Thibodeau the previous day. WGNO-TV reported. On Wednesday, it was discovered that Aviara Bonifacio, a Honduran national, was in the United States illegally.
“This man should never have been in Louisiana. Enough is enough. We must close our borders and keep our communities safe!”
Ann Obituary Thibodeau said she was a hospitality hostess and tour guide with Crawl New Orleans and “touched so many hearts and lives with her smile, honesty and loving spirit.”
According to WGNO, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement said that US Border Patrol encountered Aviara Bonifacio in Texas on May 11, 2019, and determined he was inadmissible.
But the Border Patrol released Aviara Bonifacio on bail on May 14, 2019, WGNO reported, citing ICE records of his actions.
Kenner, Louisiana police arrested Aviara Bonifacio, who uses the alias Joshua Avila, on a theft charge on Oct. 6, 2023, the department announced. Kenner police arrested Aviara Bonifacio on Feb. 14 on charges of theft and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, as well as three Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office fugitives, WGNO reported.
According to the New Orleans Police Department, officers responded to a report of a shooting at the intersection of Royal and St. Peter streets just after 4:30 a.m. on June 30, where they found a woman’s body sitting in a car. The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office identified the victim as 43-year-old Christy Thibodeaux on July 2 and determined the fatal injuries were the result of a gunshot wound.
Police identified three suspects, Aviara Bonifacio and two juveniles, and arrested them on one count each of second-degree murder and attempted armed robbery. Detectives determined the murder occurred during an attempted armed robbery, police said.
Aviara Bonifacio was taken to the Orleans Parish Justice Center following an execution and transport operation on Monday, the department said.
Republican Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said Wednesday X Regarding Aviara Bonifacio, he said, “This man should never have been in Louisiana. Enough is enough. We must close our borders and keep our communities safe!”
WGNO reported that the 15-year-old suspect was being monitored by an electronic ankle monitoring device, with New Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams telling the station, “This is a huge issue. Young defendants who are under court supervision and electronic monitoring should not be free to roam the streets at any time without some form of court action or police notification.”
WGNO added that Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill asked, “Where are the parents of these boys? They too must be held accountable. I work hard to keep New Orleans safe and this is just another prime example of the dysfunction we face.”
The Orleans Parish Public Defender’s Office is representing the three suspects and, in accordance with department policy, declined to comment on pending cases. Lawyer reports.
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