Police in New Orleans have arrested a 16-year-old in connection with the murder of a gay bagel shop owner, who was gunned down while on vacation with his husband.
Jacob Carter, 32, of Tacoma, Washington was shot and killed in the early morning hours of Jan. 5 in the Marigny neighborhood of New Orleans. Carter and his husband Daniel Blagovich co-owned the popular Howdy Bagels in Tacoma.
“If you knew Jake, you know he was someone who exuded kindness, warmth and genuine care to everyone he met,” Howdy Bagels posted on its Instagram page. “Jake was one of the brightest spots in the lives of everyone he loved. This loss is immeasurable for our community.”
A GoFundMe was created to support Blagovich and the Howdy Bagels team. As of Jan. 14, the fundraiser has received more $262,000.
Meanwhile, the teenager suspected of killing Carter was arrested Jan. 12 in Jefferson Parish on unrelated charges. He is expected to be transported to Orleans Parish and booked on second-degree murder.
Carter was found at the intersection of Bourbon and Kerlerec Streets with gunshot wound injuries and pronounced dead at the scene. Police have yet to disclose a motive for the crime.
Meanwhile, New Orleans plays host to the National LGBTQ Task Force’s annual Creating Change conference (Jan. 17-21) with more than 2,500 LGBTQ activists and allies coming to the Crescent City.
