A routine drug transaction in a Metairie parking lot turned deadly on the evening of December 10, 2020. Twenty-two-year-old Melvin Du Francis had gone with 21-year-old Robert White to a Division Street lot to buy marijuana when occupants of another vehicle arrived. That car carried 16-year-old Josiah Pujols, a 17-year-old friend, and the driver, Josiah’s aunt Brittany Gaskins.

According to reports, the 17-year-old exited the car and opened fire, killing Melvin Francis at the scene. Robert White, who was armed, returned fire and hit Josiah Pujols, killing him, and wounded Gaskins; the 17-year-old was also injured. Investigators arrested the 17-year-old and charged them with two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of Francis and Pujols. White was taken into custody on drug and weapon charges but was not charged in the shootings after investigators deemed his actions self-defense. The juvenile suspect’s case moved through the juvenile justice system.

If anyone witnessed the shooting or knows more about the events that led up to the meeting in the parking lot, please share what was seen or heard.