Roshad Anthony

Roshad Maurice Anthony, a 17-year-old known to his loved ones as “Shaddy,” was a bright and outgoing young man from New Orleans. Remembered by family and friends as sweet, smart, funny, and caring, Roshad was an outspoken and independent person who loved being with his family. He was a student at John F. Kennedy and Carver high schools and had a passion for basketball. His death left a profound void in the lives of his parents, Eric Anthony Sr. and Roshell Perrette Anthony, and his older brother, Eric Jr., who considered Roshad his best friend.

On the evening of March 8, 2021, Roshad’s life was tragically cut short by gun violence in the Hollygrove neighborhood. The shooting occurred around 8 p.m. in the 3300 block of Leonidas Street, a residential area in the city's 17th Ward. When officers from the New Orleans Police Department and first responders arrived at the scene, they discovered the Black teenager suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene, his death adding to the city's growing homicide count for the year and sending a shockwave of grief through his community.

The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) launched a homicide investigation into Roshad's death. In the weeks that followed the shooting, detectives identified two individuals they believed had important information about the case. Police publicly named 19-year-old Tymaia Powell and 18-year-old Tyiara Solomon as persons of interest and asked for the public’s help in locating them for questioning.

An early news report indicated that a 19-year-old woman had been arrested in connection with the murder, though her identity was not widely publicized. However, the investigation continued. Several months later, in November 2021, the NOPD issued another public release, reiterating their desire to speak with both Powell and Solomon. The department clarified that at that time, neither woman was wanted on criminal charges, but detectives believed they had "knowledge of information vital to the investigation" and wished to interview them.

In the years following Roshad's death, his family has had to endure further tragedy with the passing of his brother, Eric Anthony Jr., in September 2024. Roshad is still lovingly remembered on online memorial pages, where friends and family continue to share memories of his infectious smile and joyful personality. They describe him as a "beautiful soul" and someone who was perfect in their eyes, underscoring the profound loss they continue to feel.

As of the last available police updates, no definitive arrests or charges have been publicly confirmed in the murder of Roshad Anthony. The case remains open, and his family is still awaiting justice. The New Orleans Police Department encourages anyone with information about the homicide to contact NOPD Homicide detectives at 504-658-5300 or to call Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans anonymously at 504-822-1111.