A charter school dean is being remembered as an "incredible colleague, friend, and mentor," after his untimely death Saturday.
Reginald Field, the Head Dean of Students at Andrew H. Wilson Charter School, was shot and killed early Saturday morning in the 7th Ward Saturday around 12:11 a.m.
Just after midnight Saturday, a man was found shot to death in the 2400 block of A.P. Tureaud Avenue. According to initial witness reports, Field was walking down the street when a man opened fire, shooting him multiple times before fleeing the scene.
"Mr. Field was a pillar of the Wilson and InspireNOLA family, and dedicated his life to education and to children," a statement from InspireNOLA said.
Wilson was the founding dean of Andrew H. Wilson Charter School and a guiding hand for the 700 students who have walked the halls over the past four years.
"Mr. Field was an incredible person who cared deeply for his students and for his community, and we are committed to remembering him and honoring his legacy as we grapple with our pain and begin to heal," Jamar McKneely, CEO of InspireNOLA, said.
Field was one of five people killed in the Metro Area over memorial day weekend. Police are investigating ten shootings in our area since early Saturday in which 11 people were wounded and five were killed.
"I find myself extremely frustrated and tired of the senseless violence that is affecting our city and our students," McKneely said. "In all of my 17 years in education, I have never before experienced more pain, suffering, and death in one year due to senseless gun violence. This weekend and this year have brought me to tears and agony that I cannot explain here in words. I am frustrated, confused, and angry; it is our families and our children who are continuously hurt – directly and indirectly – by this unceasing violence, and it must stop."
McKeenly said he has already attended three students' funerals this year.
A vigil will be held for Field on the neutral ground where he was killed, in the 2400 block of AP Tureaud, across from Bullets Sports Bar, on Wednesday, May 29, at 4 p.m.
His memorial service will be held on June 1. A time and location has not been decided yet.
If you are interested in supporting the family of Mr. Reginald Field or would like more information regarding the upcoming vigil or memorial service, please contact Emily Hartnett at Emily.Hartnett@inspirenolaschools.org.