Aariah Henry, a 16-year-old girl from Marrero, Louisiana, met a tragic end in the early hours of Sunday, June 2, 2024, when she became the victim of a targeted shooting while riding with friends in Reserve.
According to her family, Aariah had snuck out to attend a party with two of her girlfriends and some adult males, deviating from her original plan to spend the night at a friend’s house.
Clarence Henry, Aariah’s father, mourned the loss of his beloved daughter, describing her as his “princess” with “a heart of gold.”
Surveillance footage from the incident revealed another vehicle pulling up alongside Aariah’s car at an intersection before shots were fired, leading investigators to believe the shooting was targeted.
St. John Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre stated that the occupants of Aariah’s car, including two underage girls and three adult men, were returning from a party when the incident occurred.
Despite the gravity of the situation, the adult males in the car refused to cooperate with law enforcement.
Aariah suffered a gunshot wound to the hip and was pronounced dead at a St. James Hospital shortly after 2 a.m.
The suspects’ vehicle, reported stolen from New Orleans in March, was later discovered concealed on a dead-end street.
St. John Sheriff’s Office disclosed that the investigation is ongoing and urged anyone with information to contact Capt. Brandon Barlow of the agency’s Criminal Investigation Division.
Sheriff Tregre reiterated the urgency of apprehending the perpetrators, emphasizing that they “do not deserve to be on the streets” and must be brought to justice swiftly.
The tragic death of Aariah Henry has left her family and community devastated, underscoring the urgent need to address violence and ensure the safety of young lives in Louisiana.
