A BELOVED chef from New Orleans was shot dead while picking up his son from daycare.
Chef Carl Morgan who worked at NOLA restaurant Brennan’s was picking up his two-year-old son when he was gunned down in the parking lot of the Abeona House Child Discovery Center.
Chef Carl Morgan was picking up his two-year-old son Silas from daycare when he was gunned down in a parking lot[/caption]
Morgan’s partner Lisa Marie has said she has been left ‘broken’[/caption]
The devoted dad was confirmed dead on Tuesday after his body was found in the parking lot.
Cops say the shooter opened fire around 5:15 pm in what became a deadly carjacking.
The suspect, later identified as 21-year-old Raymond Wells, is believed to have stolen the car after shooting the chef, leaving his body in the parking lot.
Wells was found inside the chef’s stolen car later that night with a gunshot wound to the head.
New Orleans Police Department Supt. Nicholas Gernon has said the suspected shooter is in an “extremely grave condition” in hospital.
If he survives his injuries, the 21-year-old will be charged with first-degree murder.
It remains unclear if he was shot or if the wound was self-inflicted.
“It was a truly horrible scene and a horrible crime,” he said of the carjacking murder.
Luke Gower, a local resident and witness to the shooting, described the moment the gunman opened fire.
“I just saw a guy walking right there – he just started unloading his gun,” he said.
“I don’t think he even knew the person. He just aimed at the car and started shooting at it.
“There I was — the next car in line — so I just feel lucky, I guess,” he added.
According to cops, Wells allegedly spent the afternoon skulking around the neighborhood looking for carjacking targets and even shooting at a passerby before killing Morgan.
The sous chef leaves behind his partner, Lisa Marie Lienberger, and their young son, Silas.
“He was such a good human,” Christian Pendleton, the general manager of Brennan’s said.
“He was a dad waiting to pick up his son at daycare. None of this is ever okay.”
Police identified the carjacking suspect as 21-year-old Raymond Wells who will face murder charges if he survives the gunshot wound to his head[/caption]
Taking to Facebook, Lisa paid tribute to her partner saying she has been left “broken”.
“We lost Carl to senseless violence yesterday,” she wrote.
“He was a great father and an incredibly talented chef.
“It’s still inconceivable to me that he has been ripped away from the joy of watching Silas grow, and that Silas no longer has his father. I am broken, this society is broken.
“We love you, Carl.”
Meanwhile, Brennan’s Restaurant called him a “devoted father, loving partner, cherished son and friend to all”.
This weekend, Morgan was due to lead the restaurant’s booth at the Fried Chicken Festival which is now being used to honor him.
A GoFundMe page has also been set up in memory of him, describing Silas as “his world, his reason, his pride, and his heartbeat”.
The money raised will go towards funeral and memorial expenses as well as supporting his partner and son.
Tribute from Brennan’s Restaurant
Dear Friends,
On behalf of the Brennan’s restaurant family, we are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support for our sous chef, Carl Morgan, and his family. Carl’s senseless and untimely death is heartbreaking.
Carl was a devoted father, loving partner, cherished son, and friend to all. His remarkable talent, positive energy, and immeasurable impact will be sorely missed at Brennan’s.
Our team is strong, yet we are grieving the loss of our friend and colleague. This weekend, many of us will be at the Brennan’s booth at the Fried Chicken Festival, honoring Carl by continuing the passion project he loved, with net proceeds benefiting his family.
Hug your loved ones tighter, give grace, be nice and live big like Carl.
With love and appreciation,
The Team at Brennan’s
