The body of an off-duty New Orleans Police officer who was fatally shot during an apparent robbery over the weekend was escorted back to Louisiana Tuesday.
Houston Police officers on motorcycle began the procession, with multiple other agencies joining in as they traveled along I-10 to bring Detective Everett Briscoe's body home to New Orleans. There, city leaders, family, friends, and coworkers met the procession.
Our Solo Motorcycle officers were honored to begin the escort of Detective Briscoe back home to @NOPDNews and @CityOfNOLA #hounews https://t.co/DHi44p2gER pic.twitter.com/DvccZTfyTw
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) August 24, 2021
Several groups have come together to offer a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the men responsible for the shooting, which also left another Louisiana man fighting for his life.
The shooting took place Saturday afternoon at the Grotto Ristorante near Houston's Galleria area, when police say Briscoe and another man were dining with a group on an outdoor patio. Briscoe was a member of Zulu, and FOX 8 in New Orleans reports that Briscoe was in Houston to enjoy some time off with his Zu brothers. According to police, two hooded gunmen approached and demanded their belongings. Though witnesses told HPD the men complied, one of the gunmen fired shots that killed Briscoe and left a second hospitalized in critical condition.
In a press conference today, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, HPD Chief Troy Finner, Houston Crime Stoppers officials, a representative of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and billionaire Tilman Fertitta, who owns the restaurant where the shooting happened, announced the reward.
The money was pooled together by Houston Crime Stoppers, New Orleans Crime Stoppers, the ATF, the City of Houston and Feritta to find the killer of Det. Briscoe.
"Let me just say this. You know who you are, and somebody out there knows who you are. I just want to be very clear. We will find you. We will not stop until we find you. We are going to utilize every resource available to find you," Turner said.
Briscoe was a 13-year-veteran of the New Orleans Police Department, a detective who was well-known and well-liked. Earlier this week, NOLA Mayor LaToya Cantrell said "the City of New Orleans is in mourning." He leaves behind a wife and two young sons.
Loved ones will remember Briscoe during services this weekend, with a public viewing set for Friday afternoon. A viewing will continue Saturday morning, with funeral services following at 11 a.m.
Here's the press conference:
