NEW ORLEANS, LA — The Hollygrove community is mourning the heartbreaking loss of 17-year-old Eric Simmons III, a beloved student at Carver High School, who was fatally shot Wednesday afternoon while walking home from school. The shooting has left residents reeling and reignited calls for action against the growing tide of youth violence in New Orleans.
According to the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), officers responded around 4:30 p.m. to reports of gunfire in the 8200 block of Stroelitz Street, near the Cypress Trace Apartments. Investigators say Eric had just stepped off his school bus and was still wearing his Carver High School uniform when multiple suspects approached and opened fire. Despite the swift response from emergency personnel, he died at the scene from his injuries.
The area, normally quiet at that hour, was soon filled with flashing lights as investigators combed through the scene. Dozens of yellow evidence markers lined the pavement as stunned neighbors watched from behind police tape.
“I just came outside and saw all the police cars,” one nearby resident said. “Then I heard a young boy had been shot. My heart dropped. He was just a kid trying to get home.”
Another neighbor recalled hearing several loud pops. “It sounded like firecrackers,” she said. “Then we realized it wasn’t. It’s heartbreaking.”
NOPD spokesperson Reese Harper called the killing “an unthinkable tragedy,” emphasizing the need to protect children from violence.
“No child should lose their life walking home from school,” Harper said. “This tragedy has shaken the entire community, and we will not stop until those responsible are brought to justice.”
Friends and classmates describe Eric Simmons III as bright, respectful, and full of promise. Known for his kindness and easygoing nature, he was a student who worked hard and had dreams of a better future. His sudden death has left teachers, friends, and family struggling to comprehend how such a vibrant young life could end so senselessly.
Community leaders and residents are demanding accountability and renewed efforts to address the violence plaguing New Orleans neighborhoods. “We’re losing too many of our kids,” one man said quietly. “They are our future, and it feels like every week another one is gone.”
Investigators continue to search for a motive and identify the shooters. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact NOPD Homicide Detectives or Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans at (504) 822-1111, where tips can be submitted anonymously.
The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office will confirm the official cause of death after an autopsy and family notification.
As the investigation continues, the Hollygrove community is left in mourning—remembering Eric Simmons III not as another statistic, but as a son, student, and friend whose life was filled with potential. His death serves as a painful reminder of the devastating cost of gun violence and the urgent need for change.