New Orleans police announced an arrest in a homicide case after a man allegedly told officials he shot his girlfriend and buried her in the backyard on Saturday.
The NOPD said 24-year-old Benjamin J. Camp was arrested in connection with the homicide. He is charged with second-degree murder and obstruction of justice, according to jail records.
The Context
There have been 52 reported murders in the city of New Orleans this year so far, according to crime statistics through Sunday. The number represents a decrease from 67 murders reported in the city by this time last year, 121 reported in 2023 and 149 reported in 2022.
New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick discussed the decrease during a press conference on May 6. Kirkpatrick said the department also has a high solve rate for homicides.
“That means there’s a 9-out-of-10 chance that whoever does take people’s lives, you’re going to be arrested,” Kirkpatrick said.
What To Know
Officers were responding to a miscellaneous call when they met with a man who reported shooting his girlfriend and burying her in the backyard, the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) said in a news release.
Officers from the New Orleans Police Department’s (NOPD) Fifth District responded to the 2000 block of Marigny Street at approximately 5:09 p.m.
Investigators found what appeared to be human remains around the rear of the house. Emergency Medical Services arrived and pronounced the victim deceased at the scene.
The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office will confirm the victim’s identity and establish an official cause of death, pending notification of the family.
The NOPD took Camp into custody for questioning and subsequently arrested him. He was booked into the Orleans Justice Center.
What People Are Saying
Neighbor Augustin Correro, in comments to WDSU: “I feel so terribly for the woman and her family, and it seems just like a horror movie. This was a really young person, and it’s terrible to know how her whole life was ahead of her.”
New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick, at a press conference on May 6: “We actually can help you if you just give us a call. We can get you resources to help break that cycle.”
What Happens Next
Anyone with information that can assist in this investigation is urged to contact NOPD Homicide Section detectives at 504-658-5300. Information can also be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.
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