Two Men Arrested in Uptown New Orleans Shooting That Killed U.S. Army Servicemember Colby Scheffler
The Uptown New Orleans community is reeling after a tragic shooting incident early Sunday morning (April 6) that left 20-year-old U.S. Army servicemember Colby Scheffler dead, and another man injured. Julian Vicknair, 18, and Harry Darby, 19, were arrested and charged with second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder following the fatal shooting. Both men had their bonds set at $1.5 million each on Tuesday, April 8, by an Orleans Parish Magistrate commissioner.
Scheffler, a Chalmette High School graduate and active-duty soldier, was shot inside a car in the 7700 block of Willow Street, a typically quiet neighborhood in Uptown New Orleans. Police arrived on the scene to find two men injured, with Scheffler tragically pronounced dead at the scene. Another man, who was also in the car, had been shot in the hand but survived the attack. A third passenger in the vehicle was uninjured.
The incident began when a witness informed investigators that Vicknair, who did not shoot a firearm, allegedly used bear spray through the passenger side window, while Darby—armed with a gun—approached to rob Scheffler. According to arrest warrants, Scheffler was shot in the back, and he was found in the driver’s seat of the car. After the shooting, the car lunged forward, damaging several parked vehicles before crashing into a fence, where it came to a stop.
Cell phone footage captured by a neighbor showed the chaotic aftermath, with the engine of the car revving and the scene filled with visible panic. The event has left the community shocked and grieving, as the normally peaceful area was thrust into violence.
Scheffler’s friends and family remember him as an exceptional young man—a true representation of the values that many hold dear. Described as “everything that any parent would want for their child,” Scheffler’s untimely death has left a significant hole in the hearts of those who knew him. As a dedicated member of the U.S. Army, his death is not only a personal loss but also a tragedy for his military community.
The Orleans Parish District Attorney’s office has expressed its intent to seek justice on behalf of Scheffler’s family and the surviving victim. In a statement, they emphasized the gravity of the crime and supported the request for high bonds for the defendants. While further details of the case are still under investigation, the District Attorney’s office has assured the public that they are committed to bringing justice for both the surviving victim and the family of the deceased.
The shooting has prompted an outpouring of grief and tributes to Scheffler, as well as calls for justice from the community. As the investigation continues, many are holding their breath, hoping that justice will be served for Colby Scheffler, a young man who had his whole life ahead of him and whose promising future was tragically cut short.