New Orleans shooting: Chicago mother Jessica Williams killed by stray bullet from shootout on Bourbon Street during birthday trip
What was meant to be a joyful birthday trip quickly turned into heartbreak when a Chicago woman, an innocent bystander, was killed in a shooting on Bourbon Street in New Orleans.
Jessica Williams, 33, had to be convinced to take time for herself and celebrate her birthday. The single mother's focus was her two young children, according to her cousin, Kardajia Wells, who did not want to show her face on camera.
"It's either work, my kids or doing something with my kids. It's no in-between. So, she don't make free time for herself," Wells said.
But Williams, the oldest of four siblings, decided it was time to celebrate. She, two of her siblings, her mother, other family members and Wells went to New Orleans on Friday and planned to come back Sunday, the day of William's birthday.
"That was the goal, to just celebrate her and my cousin who just graduated college, so we were going to celebrate the both of them," Wells said.
Wells said it was around 2 a.m. Sunday when the family was heading back to their hotel after a night in the French Quarter.
"On our way, leaving, two guys got into an altercation, and we're not thinking that they're going to pull out any weapons or any of that, because it's a big crowd," Wells said.
New Orleans police say the fight led to a shootout on Bourbon Street. The gunfire hit three hit a man and two women, including Williams, who was killed, and her younger sister, who was injured.
"How to do you go to another city and just try to have some fun and return with everyone but one person?" Wells said.
New Orleans police said they interviewed two people of interest and are looking for another man, who they believe is the suspect. Meanwhile, Williams' close-knit family is rallying around her children and supporting each other.
"I thought I was going to be OK, and I thought that I can get past this, that tomorrow was going to get better, but I can't see it getting better," Wells said.
Williams' sister is still recovering in a New Orleans hospital. She is expected to come home later this week.
