The City of New Orleans deals with the aftermath of a tragic carjacking case that took a sharp twist when the accused assailant died of a gunshot wound. The New Orleans Police Department confirmed that 21-year-old Raymond Wells, the man suspected of fatally shooting Brennan’s sous chef Carl Morgan during a carjacking, succumbed to his injuries on Friday. Karen Boudrie, a spokesperson for New Orleans Police Department, reported that Wells passed away at UMC due to a gunshot wound to the head. WWLTV notes Wells was discovered inside Morgan's stolen vehicle in Metairie, shortly after the chef was shot while picking up his son from daycare.
Details surrounding the circumstances of the gunshot wound that ultimately claimed Wells's life remain unclear, with the New Orleans Police Department yet to confirm if the wound was self-inflicted or the result of another violent encounter. In a statement obtained by FOX 8 Live, Boudrie indicated that the Jefferson Parish Coroner’s office is expected to perform an autopsy, which could shed light on this mystery. The New Orleans Police Department had previously stated that Wells would have faced first-degree murder charges, had he recovered.
Carl Morgan, whose life was cruelly taken in the carjacking, was a beloved figure in the local culinary scene. Tributes poured in as the community reeled from the loss. At the weekend's Fried Chicken Festival, colleagues and friends celebrated the late chef's contributions. According to WWLTV, Morgan had been instrumental to the festivity's past successes, and this year, his legacy was honored as his specialty chicken sandwich was sold to support his family.
While the criminal case may have taken an unexpected turn, the focus for many remains on remembering the life and talents of Morgan, and supporting the loved ones he left behind. The New Orleans Police Department continues to piece together the events leading up to Wells's death, as they work to slowly unravel the questions that the public and Morgan’s family still eagerly await to be answered. As reported by WDSU, Wells's family confirmed his death, which marks a somber end to a series of violent events that have shaken the New Orleans community.
