NEW ORLEANS, LA — The Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) community and residents of a quiet New Orleans neighborhood are in mourning following the tragic death of Professor Dr. Samuel Eweni, who was fatally stabbed Tuesday night in what authorities describe as a domestic incident involving his son. Police have confirmed that Chukwuebuka Eweni, the professor’s son, has been taken into custody and faces charges of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder.
According to the New Orleans Police Department, the violent attack occurred inside the family’s home on Pebble Drive. What began as a normal evening turned into a devastating act of violence when Chukwuebuka allegedly grabbed a knife and attacked his father and two sisters.
Emergency personnel responded to multiple 911 calls shortly after 8 p.m. Despite their swift arrival, Dr. Eweni was pronounced dead at the scene. One of his daughters sustained injuries requiring hospital treatment but has since been released, while the other remains hospitalized in stable condition and is expected to recover.
Family members, deeply shaken by the tragedy, told local station WWL-TV that the suspect had long struggled with mental health challenges but had never shown signs of aggression before. “It was an ordinary evening,” one relative said. “None of us could have imagined something like this would happen.”
Following the attack, authorities say Chukwuebuka went to New Orleans East Hospital, a facility where he had previously sought mental health care. Unaware of the violence that had taken place, hospital staff later transferred him to another medical facility in Jefferson Parish, where investigators eventually located and arrested him early Wednesday morning.
News of Dr. Eweni’s death has sent shockwaves through SUNO, where he was a highly respected and beloved professor within the College of Business and Public Administration. Known for his passion for teaching, mentorship, and commitment to student success, Dr. Eweni was regarded as a cornerstone of the university’s academic community.
In a moving statement, SUNO Chancellor Dr. Joseph Bouie, Jr. expressed the deep loss felt across campus:
“Dr. Eweni was more than a faculty member—he was a mentor, a scholar, and a guiding light to so many of our students. His dedication to education and his belief in the power of knowledge to transform lives will be remembered and honored. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this time of unimaginable grief.”
As detectives continue to piece together the events leading to the fatal stabbing, both the Eweni family and the SUNO community are left grappling with shock and heartbreak.
Dr. Samuel Eweni will be remembered as a man of intellect, integrity, and compassion—an educator whose impact extended far beyond the classroom. His tragic death marks a profound loss, not only for his family but for all who had the privilege of knowing him.