UPDATE — The identity of the child who was fatally shot while riding in the car with her family on Sunday night has been confirmed.
On Monday afternoon, the victim’s family confirmed 7-year-old Dillan Burton was killed as shots were fired near the intersection of General DeGaulle Drive and Hendee Street.
Dillan’s mother, Maquisha told WGNO her daughter loved school, was very selfless, and loved her sister and mom very much. She said Dillan was especially looking forward to dancing in the parades for Carnival season.
An official cause of death will be announced following an autopsy by the Coroner’s Office.
A GoFundMe has been set up for Burton’s family to help honor her memory following her tragic loss of life.
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The New Orleans Police Department reported a fatal shooting in Algiers that left a 7-year-old girl dead on Sunday night.
According to police, the incident occurred just before 9 p.m. when a mother and her two children were approaching the intersection of General DeGaulle Drive and Hendee Street as shots rang out. The mother drove nearly a mile to the 1200 block of Milton Street in Gretna when she realized her 7-year-old daughter had been shot.
Gretna Police were contacted and the child was taken to the hospital where she later died. The driver and other child that were inside of the vehicle during the gunfire were not injured.
The investigation is ongoing and no further information is available at this time.
Anyone with information that can help solve this crime are asked to call CRIMESTOPPERS at 822-1111, or toll-free at 1-877-903-STOP(7867).