Nola Reporter

On October 3, 2024, Blair Taylor, a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty by a federal jury of two counts of causing death through the use of a firearm. This announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

Trial evidence revealed that Taylor killed two individuals on August 10, 2014, during an incident referred to as the "Burgundy Massacre." Among the victims was a sixteen-year-old girl. Additionally, five other people were seriously injured in the shooting, including a two-year-old and a four-year-old child. The incident occurred when Taylor and two accomplices went to Burgundy Street in New Orleans to retaliate against a narcotics dealer who had stolen drugs from one of Taylor's co-conspirators' mother. Upon arrival, Taylor opened fire on the crowd with a rifle despite several young children being present. One accomplice approached and shot the intended target.

Previously, on February 2, 2017, Taylor and his accomplice were found guilty of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder following an 11-1 jury verdict. However, they were granted new trials in 2021 after the United States Supreme Court ruled non-unanimous jury verdicts unconstitutional. In October 2022, Louisiana retried Taylor but found him not guilty; he was released from jail in March 2023.

Subsequently, a federal grand jury indicted Taylor for the murders after further investigation. Following a three-day trial at this level, he was found guilty again and sentenced to life imprisonment for each count.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which unites law enforcement with communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence while making neighborhoods safer. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched an enhanced strategy under PSN focused on building trust within communities and supporting organizations that prevent violence.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and New Orleans Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Inga Petrovich led the prosecution along with Unit Chief Elizabeth Privitera and Special Assistant United States Attorney James Ollinger from the Violent Crime Unit.