Remembering John Ashley Ventress: Victim of Tragic Shooting in St. Roch, New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS, LA — The city of New Orleans is once again mourning the loss of a life to gun violence following the tragic death of John Ashley Ventress, age 50, who was fatally shot on Wednesday night, June 25, 2025, in the St. Roch neighborhood. The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office has officially identified Ventress as the victim in what is now being investigated as a homicide by the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD).
According to NOPD reports, officers responded to a miscellaneous complaint shortly after 8:35 p.m., arriving at the intersection of Franklin Avenue and North Prieur Street. Upon their arrival, officers found Mr. Ventress suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite the rapid response of emergency medical services, Ventress was pronounced dead at the scene.
His sudden and violent death has sparked grief in the St. Roch community and raised renewed concern over public safety in the area. Neighbors reported hearing gunshots shortly before the police arrived and described the unsettling sight of flashing lights and a heavy law enforcement presence descending upon their normally quiet streets.
A Life Lost Too Soon
While few personal details have been released about John Ashley Ventress, community members who knew him describe him as a familiar face in the area—someone who had lived in New Orleans for many years and was a part of the rhythm of daily life in St. Roch. His life, like so many others taken too soon, matters deeply to those who knew him, and his death leaves behind a void that statistics cannot capture.
As with many acts of senseless violence in the city, the loss extends beyond the immediate family—it is felt in ripples throughout the neighborhood, in conversations held behind doors and in prayers lifted for peace and justice.
Investigation Ongoing
The NOPD Homicide Division is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting. While no arrests have been made, detectives are urging the public to come forward with any information, no matter how minor it may seem. A person’s memory, a video clip, or a passing observation could prove vital in solving this case and bringing justice to the Ventress family.
Anyone with information is asked to contact NOPD homicide detectives at 504-658-5300. Alternatively, anonymous tips can be submitted to Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111, where callers may be eligible for a cash reward. The New Orleans Police Department emphasizes that tipsters’ identities will be protected and that community cooperation is crucial in resolving acts of violence.
Community Response and Call for Peace
This shooting marks yet another grim moment in a year already marred by violence in New Orleans. Residents and local leaders continue to call for stronger measures to address the root causes of crime—poverty, lack of opportunity, access to guns—and to reinforce efforts in conflict resolution and community engagement.
Candlelight vigils, anti-violence initiatives, and neighborhood patrols remain ongoing efforts across various neighborhoods, including St. Roch. The hope is to not only mourn the dead but to actively work toward preventing future tragedies.
As New Orleans reflects on the loss of John Ashley Ventress, let it be a moment of remembrance and resolve—a call to action to protect and uplift every life in this vibrant city. His life mattered. His name matters. And justice, for him and others like him, must remain a community priority.
Rest in peace, John Ashley Ventress.
May your memory be a blessing, and may those who loved you find strength in the days to come.