The New Orleans Police Department announced on May 4 the arrest of Rhonda Watts in connection with a homicide that took place on April 28 in the 3900 block of Saint Claude Avenue.
According to police, officers from the Fifth District responded at about 2:35 p.m. on April 28 after an adult male pedestrian was struck by a vehicle whose driver then left the scene. The victim was transported by emergency medical services to a local hospital, and police later located the vehicle involved.
Investigators determined that Watts intentionally struck the victim with her vehicle. The incident was initially classified as aggravated battery but was reclassified as a homicide after the victim died on May 1. Detectives from the Homicide Unit obtained an arrest warrant for Watts for one count of second-degree murder. She was apprehended on May 3 in the 3400 block of Urquhart Street and booked accordingly.
The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office will release the identity of the victim once an autopsy is complete and family has been notified.
“All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty,” said officials in their statement. Anyone with information related to this investigation is encouraged to contact NOPD Homicide Section detectives at 504-658-5300.