Teen Girl Shot by Boyfriend in School Route Tragedy

A 16-year-old honor roll student from Walter L. Cohen High School, Lizzell Palma, was killed in a tragic murder-suicide that has shaken the Algiers community. The incident occurred on October 22, 2025, in the 1800 block of Jo Ann Place. Palma’s 20-year-old ex-boyfriend, reportedly enraged by their recent breakup, shot her before turning the gun on himself.

The shooting unfolded around 7:45 a.m. as Palma and her sister were walking to their school bus. Witnesses described the ex-boyfriend, a former Cohen student, as visibly agitated. He was seen pacing the street for nearly 40 minutes prior to the attack. Security footage confirmed his restless movements. One neighbor observed, “He looked angry, like he was boiling inside, just waiting for her.” Sources indicate the couple’s relationship had ended weeks earlier, leaving him furious.

A Planned Act of Violence

Palma was struck by multiple gunshots and pronounced dead at the scene. Her sister was physically unharmed but left traumatized. After firing the fatal shots, the ex-boyfriend took his own life. He was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. A neighbor, Ms. Williams, recounted the chilling sequence: “He was pacing since 7 a.m.. At 7:38, he walked toward the stop, and then we heard the shots. It was like he planned it in anger.” This apparent premeditation has intensified the community’s grief.

Community Mourns a Promising Life

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Walter L. Cohen High School released a statement expressing profound sorrow: “Our community is heartbroken by this tragedy.” The school has mobilized grief counselors and partnered with the Children’s Bureau of New Orleans to provide support for students and staff. A wake for Lizzell Palma is scheduled for October 30 at Leads Funeral Home. Her family remembered her as “our light,” a bright junior with aspirations of attending college.

The New Orleans Police Department is investigating the case as the city’s fifth murder-suicide since late September 2025. The ex-boyfriend’s visible anger has prompted calls for enhanced mental health resources for young people. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the NOPD Homicide Section at (504) 658-5300 or Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111. In Algiers, community leaders are advocating for new programs to address emotional distress in youth, hoping to prevent future tragedies driven by such rage.