NEW ORLEANS - Police say they believe that a teenage murder suspect is hiding in the Iberville Housing Development, but for more than a month, they haven't been able to catch him.
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As first reported in a 4 Investigates report, police called Shateek Howard a "missing person," then admitted he had escaped from state custody.
The police leadership issued a warning Tuesday to anyone who may be helping Howard hide out - come forward or face charges.
Eyewitness News spoke to several people who live in the development and who wanted to remain anonymous. They said it'll be tough to get anyone to turn Howard in to police for fear of retaliation.
"We recognize that there are individuals that are in the development that are harboring him and I just want to put a word of caution that those individuals, if we find him in any apartment that they too will be arrested for a felony," Defillo warned.
The mother of a young man who was injured in a shooting that took the life of McMain student Darielle Rainey said it is scary that Howard was able to escape custody and now is at large. Howard is wanted in connection with the shooting.
"It's scary. It's real scary. It goes to show you how the system works. You know, the system doesn't work very well," said Shawna Tucker.
Police said they got an arrest warrant for Howard in November, something that was news to both of the victims' families.
"There was an arrest warrant for murder. Certainly, there may have been a miscommunication on someone's part, but I do know as Commander of the Detective Bureau, I've had numerous discussions with my homicide detective on this particular case," said NOPD's Deputy Superintendent Marlon Defillo.
Howard was last seen outside Juvenile Court in early February, where police said he escaped from the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals' custody.
DHH initially reported Howard simply as a missing juvenile, not someone wanted in connection with a high-profile murder.
He was at juvenile court facing unknown other charges at the time of his escape.
"We're getting information on a daily basis, where he is. We have our violent offenders unit that's tracking him. It's just a matter of time," Defillo said.
Police have said Howard should be considered possibly armed and dangerous. Anyone with information on where Shateek Howard is, should call Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111. Callers don't have to leave their name, and they could earn a cash reward.
