NEW ORLEANS — Republican Governor Jeff Landry condemned the recent killing of a French Quarter tour guide Wednesday, attributing the tragedy to inadequate border security.
"This man should have never been in Louisiana. Enough is enough," Landry declared on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. "We must close our borders and keep our communities safe!"
Landry's comments followed the identification of 19-year-old Joshua Aviala-Bonifacio as one of the suspects in the murder of tour guide Kristie Thibodeaux. According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Aviala-Bonifacio, a Honduran citizen, allegedly entered the United States illegally, sparking further debate over immigration policies.
Thibodeaux, known for her energetic personality, was fatally shot while sitting in her car in the 700 block of St. Peter Street. The incident has shocked the local community and raised concerns about safety in the popular tourist area.
Since taking office in January, Gov. Landry has consistently highlighted immigration as a key issue. He recently deployed Louisiana National Guard soldiers to the Texas-Mexico border amidst a dispute between Democratic President Joe Biden and Texas Governor Greg Abbott over immigration enforcement authority. Landry, Abbott, and other Republicans argue that Biden's policies have resulted in an increase in illegal border crossings.
Republicans have frequently linked the presence of undocumented immigrants to crime rates. Aviala-Bonifacio's criminal record includes multiple arrests for theft and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles. Since February, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office has booked him for five crimes.
On July 1, 2024, Aviala-Bonifacio was arrested by the New Orleans Violent Crime Task Force for second-degree murder and attempted armed robbery with a firearm in connection with Thibodeaux's death. Following his arrest, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged a detainer on July 8 with the Orleans Parish Justice Center.
Bonifacio and Jerben Albarec, 17, were booked Monday with second-degree murder and attempted armed robbery in Thibodeaux's killing. An unidentified 15-year-old, who police believe is responsible for the homicide was booked into the Juvenile Justice Intervention Center, the city’s juvenile lockup.
Bond has been set at $1.1 million each for Albarec and Bonifacio, which breaks down to $100,000 for armed robbery and $1 million for second-degree murder apiece.
Gov. Landry's remarks underscore the ongoing national debate over border security and immigration policies, with many calling for more stringent measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
