NEW ORLEANS — On Monday, New Orleans Police arrested the mother of the suspect in the Nine Times Social Aid & Pleasure second line shooting.
19-year-old Curtis Gray is facing two counts of second-degree murder.
Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams said his mother, 40-year-old Ashley Gray, may have been involved with the crime before the second line even began rolling on Nov. 17.
“Before those second liners ever got dressed that morning, this mother made some decisions with regards to that firearm," Williams said at a press conference on Monday. "And I believe there will be charges stemming from that," he said.
Gray was arrested Monday and currently faces "accessory after the fact." However, Williams expects her list of charges to grow once she's extradited from Jefferson Parish to Orleans.
Curtis Gray was arrested Friday at her River Ridge home. He was in court Sunday and his bail was set at $10 million.
Documents obtained by WWL Louisiana show that the gun used in the double murder belonged to Ashley Gray.
"It is insane that a mother would push her son or daughter any closer to criminal activity," Williams said, "It is even more insane that they would do anything after the fact to assist, aid, and abet."
Two days after the shooting, the mother texted her son reminding him to change his phone number, and said, "You was with us anyways the [whole] time," according to documents.
Police believe the shooting was targeted and that the Westwego teen was settling some long-standing West Bank beef.
Williams said that tips from the community following the shooting indicate that New Orleans has a culture of helping, not hurting.
“And anyone who made the mistake of thinking this was New Orleans’ culture, they’re going to learn today," Williams said.
Williams warned that any witnesses who choose not to come forward, or aid the suspect in any way, could be prosecuted.
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