Carl Morgan Obituary, Death; – Family members have identified the individual who was fatally shot during a carjacking in a Louisiana parking lot while picking up his son from daycare.
Relatives and friends stated that Carl Morgan, a sous chef at Brennan’s Restaurant in New Orleans, tragically lost his life on Tuesday night as a result of a fatal shooting.
“Everyone is deeply hurt, feeling raw emotions. It’s shocking,” remarked Christian Pendleton, General Manager of Brennan’s Restaurant.
Pendleton noted that Morgan was not only a cook and a long-time associate but, most importantly, a devoted father.
“His son was his top priority, and he was an exceptional dad,” he added. As reported by the New Orleans police, the shooting took place around 5:15 p.m. at the Abeona House Child Discovery Center located on Canal Street.
New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Nicholas Gernon stated that the alleged shooter, 21-year-old Raymond Wells, was discovered later that evening, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head inside the stolen vehicle on Interstate 10.
The 21-year-old was reported to be in “extremely grave condition” at a local hospital. Gernon indicated that if Wells survives his injuries, he will be charged with first-degree murder.
Authorities mentioned that it was not immediately clear whether someone else shot him or if his gunshot wound was self-inflicted. According to Gernon, officers initially responded to reports of gunfire approximately one block away from where Morgan was found deceased.
“We suspect the shooter was engaged in some activity in that block,” Gernon stated. “Someone noticed, and [Wells] opened fire on them. Subsequently, he moved a block away and encountered our carjacking victim.
After allegedly killing Morgan at the daycare, Wells fled in his vehicle before being located on I-10 near the Bonnabel exit.
Morgan’s partner expressed her grief online, stating that he was lost to senseless violence and that she is heartbroken at the thought of him not being able to witness their young son grow up.
“A man lost his life. A child lost his father. A partner lost the love of her life, and we all lost a vibrant light in the city of New Orleans,” said Shawn Anglim, pastor at First Grace United Methodist Church.
Anglim said one of the teachers at the day care heard the gunfire that night and rushed all of the children inside. Loved ones described Morgan as a leader in the kitchen and an all-around great person. Pendleton said Morgan’s passion project was the Fried Chicken Festival. Brennan’s will honor him at the event this weekend by serving his fried chicken sandwich and more.
“I don’t know if there’s a better way to celebrate a chef than to cook their food and enjoy their food and enjoy the people you’re working with and seeing the people that are eating it and seeing how happy they are,” Pendleton said, adding all proceeds from Fried Chicken Fest will go to Morgan’s family.
