Tyrone Jenkins Jr.

Tyrone "Moe" Jenkins Jr., a devoted father and resident of Marrero, Louisiana, was known by his loved ones for the warmth he brought to their lives. A native of New Orleans, the 39-year-old Black man attended John Ehret High School and worked for Delta Coatings, Inc. He was the loving father of five children: Ashley Smith, Michelle Levier, Trichelle Jenkins, Tyra Levier, and Tyrone Levier. Remembered as the son of Irma Cola, the late Tyrone Jenkins Sr., and Anthony Ray Cola, he was a cherished brother and grandson, survived by a host of relatives and friends who felt his loss deeply.

On the evening of Sunday, February 2, 2014, Tyrone Jenkins Jr.'s life was tragically cut short by gun violence. The incident occurred around 8 p.m. in the 700 block of Pailet Avenue in his hometown of Marrero. When deputies from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office arrived at the scene following reports of a shooting, they discovered two men wounded. Mr. Jenkins had sustained at least one gunshot wound. He was emergently transported to a local hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. A second victim, a 38-year-old man, was also found at the scene with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his leg and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

The investigation into the double shooting was handled by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office. In the days immediately following the homicide, detectives identified a person of interest. The sheriff's office issued a warrant for the arrest of Donovan Duncan, also of Marrero, on a charge of second-degree murder in connection with the death of Tyrone Jenkins Jr. Authorities released Duncan's name to the public and asked for assistance in locating him.

Despite the initial momentum of the investigation and the public identification of a suspect, the case has grown cold in the years since. Publicly available records and news reports do not contain information regarding the arrest of Donovan Duncan for this crime. Details about the motive behind the shooting, what led to the confrontation on Pailet Avenue, and the ultimate judicial outcome of the investigation remain unknown. The narrative that began with a violent act and a swift police response has since faded from the public eye, leaving many questions unanswered.

Family and friends gathered to mourn Tyrone Jenkins Jr. on Thursday, February 13, 2014, at a funeral service held at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in nearby Harvey, Louisiana. He was laid to rest at Restlawn Park Cemetery in Avondale. The outpouring of condolences from his community reflected a life that had touched many.

As of today, the case of who killed Tyrone Jenkins Jr. remains unresolved. The arrest warrant issued for Donovan Duncan in February 2014 was the last significant public development in the investigation. The full story of what happened that night and the pursuit of justice for Mr. Jenkins and his family is incomplete, awaiting new information that could bring clarity and closure after more than a decade of uncertainty.