The 26-year-old woman killed Sunday evening in a shooting near the corner of Washington Avenue and Magnolia Street has been identified as Destiny Dunn.
At around 5:17 p.m., a deadly burst of gunfire erupted in the 2700 block of Magnolia Street in New Orleans’ Central City neighborhood, hours after a “second line” parade had passed through the area. According to first responders, Dunn was found suffering from at least one gunshot wound and rushed by EMS to a nearby hospital — where she later died. Two others were also shot in the incident: a 16-year-old boy whose body was found on the 2700 block of 7th Street, and a 29-year-old man discovered close to where the parade ended. Both remained hospitalized; as of now police have not released their condition.
The identity of the shooter remains unknown, and the New Orleans Police Department says the case is still under active investigation. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
To the many who knew her, Destiny wasn’t just another name on a tragic report. She was a bright, warm presence — a friend, a family member, a neighbor. Those who loved her say that her laugh could light up a room, that she had an uncanny knack for making people feel seen, heard, and valued. In the days since her death, friends and neighbors have begun sharing stories of her kindness: a comforting word during hard times, a ready smile, the kind of support that didn’t demand recognition but left a quiet, lasting mark.
People remember how she brought joy — not only in big moments, but in everyday life. Whether gathering with family, laughing with friends, or simply being there for someone in need, Destiny carried herself with a generosity of spirit that made ordinary moments feel special. Her sense of humor, gentle disposition, and resilience in the face of life’s pressures inspired those around her; she didn’t wait for a spotlight to shine — she brightened paths quietly, steadily.
Her loss has carved out a hollow space in her community. In a neighborhood still reeling from the violence, this death hits harder: not just because of how it happened, but because of who she was. Mourning has begun in earnest — not only for the life cut tragically short, but for all the things she still might have become. Friends speak of raising funds for a service, neighbors share photos and messages online, and families are gathering to comfort each other — determined that Destiny’s memory will not be overshadowed by the horror of her death.
In the stories they share — the laughter, the kindness, the everyday warmth — the people of New Orleans are already starting to remember Destiny the way she deserves: not as a victim, but as a light. And in that remembering, they find something powerful: hope that her spirit — kind, caring, alive — endures beyond the darkness of that Sunday night.
