Man arrested in connection to Sunday afternoon homicide in Lower 9th Ward

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — A man is behind bars following a fatal shooting in New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward over the weekend.

NOPD reports that 31-year-old Dwayne D. Smith was taken into custody in connection to the investigation.

According to the NOPD, police were called to the 1000 block of Lamanche Street, near the Holy Cross area, just before 3:30 on Sunday.

Initial reports indicated a man had been shot outside a home and was transported to an area hospital where he later died.

However, information later released by the NOPD showed the victim died on the scene. The case was then reclassified as a homicide.

On Tuesday, May 10, the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office identified the victim as 35-year-old Fird Grover IV. The preliminary cause of Grover’s death has been listed as a gunshot wound.

While at the scene, NOPD says responding officers detained Smith for questioning, but later identified him as a suspect in the case. Smith was then booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center where he faces a single charge of second-degree murder.

Police continue to investigate the homicide. Anyone with any additional information is urged to contact NOPD Fifth District detectives at (504) 658-6050.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crimestoppers by completing an online form, or by calling (504) 822-1111.