In a heartrending event in New Orleans, a respected local chef was killed by a carjacker as he waited to collect his young son from daycare. Carl Morgan, a devoted father and sous chef at the renowned Brennan’s restaurant, was the unfortunate victim of the carjacker, who was later identified as 21-year-old Raymond Wells. According to eyewitness accounts, Wells shot Morgan, abandoned his body in the parking lot, and then made a swift getaway in Morgan’s vehicle.
Luke Gower, a local resident who was present during the incident, narrated the horrifying sequence of events. He saw a man, later confirmed to be Wells, strolling nearby before he abruptly started shooting at Morgan’s car. Gower, who was next in line at the daycare, expressed his shock and relief at having narrowly avoided the violent episode.
The crime took place in the parking lot of the Abeona House Child Discovery Center. Deputy Superintendent Nicholas Gernon of the New Orleans Police Department characterized the incident as a “truly horrific scene and a terrible crime.” Morgan was a cherished member of the community, and his sudden demise has left many in a state of shock and grief.
In an unexpected turn of events, the suspect, Wells, was later found by the police in the stolen car, critically wounded with a gunshot wound to his head. The details surrounding his injury are still unclear. If Wells recovers, he will be charged with first-degree murder, according to the police. Before the fatal shooting of Morgan, Wells had reportedly been spotted in the neighborhood, carjacking other cars and firing at pedestrians.
The sound of the gunfire led to immediate action from the daycare center’s teachers, who quickly ushered all children indoors, as reported by Shawn Anglim, the pastor at a nearby church. The parking lot where Morgan was discovered has since been transformed into a makeshift memorial, with community members gathering to pay their respects.
Morgan’s colleagues at Brennan’s restaurant have expressed their sorrow and shock at his untimely death. Christian Pendleton, the restaurant’s general manager, remembered Morgan as a “good human” and a dedicated father. Morgan is survived by his partner, Lisa Marie Lienberger, and their two-year-old son.
Lienberger expressed her heartbreak at the loss of Morgan, promising to keep his memory alive in their son’s life. Morgan was set to represent Brennan’s at the upcoming Fried Chicken Fest. In his honor, the restaurant plans to serve his popular fried chicken sandwich, a dish that Pendleton said customers always eagerly anticipated.