New Orleans Law Students Found Dead In Murder-Suicide

The New Orleans Police Department is investigating an apparent murder-suicide. New Orleans resident Sara LaMont, 25, is believed to have been fatally shot by her boyfriend, 28-year-old Wajih Mazloum.

Around 9:55 a.m. on Feb. 1, officers responded to a residence located in the 5500 block of Willow Street in Uptown New Orleans. The deceased couple was discovered by a roommate, who called 911. He told the police he found them when he walked into the house. Both had gunshot wounds, and a handgun was found next to Mazloum. New Orleans police officer Garry Flot released a statement.

“During the course of the investigation, detectives determined that the male fatally shot his girlfriend and then fatally shot himself. Detectives found a handgun next to the male.”

According to a statement released by Tulane University President Mike Fitts, Mazloum and LaMont were both law students in their second year. The university in New Orleans has reached out to the families and says their “thoughts and prayers go out to them.”

“Today’s devastating news comes as we are struggling with a number of earlier losses in the Tulane community during what has been an extraordinarily difficult year. As we confront the tragedies that have befallen us over the last few months, our hope lies in coming together in support, understanding, care and love for one another. I pledge to you that no effort will be spared by me or anyone in the university’s leadership as we seek the comfort and healing of our community.”

According to the New Orleans Advocate, a neighbor, who wishes to remain anonymous, said he was home all night and didn’t see or hear anything unusual before going to bed around 10:30 p.m.

“I was here last night, but me and my girlfriend didn’t hear anything,” the neighbor said. “Nothing woke us.”

He also said the couple “seemed fine” when he and his girlfriend saw them in the last couple of days. Mazloum had lived at the apartment in New Orleans for over a year, and they talked often about law school. The neighbor is a recent law school graduate.

“I would give him advice, because he was a couple of years behind me. We just talked about law school. He was always very friendly.”

After police finished their investigation, the New Orleans resident told the New Orleans Advocate he was having difficulty processing the morning’s event.

“It just doesn’t seem real. I’m just going to relax, count my blessings and reflect on it a little bit, I guess,” he said.

The investigation is ongoing.

Counselors will be available this week and may be reached at (504) 865-5255.

Anyone with information on the investigation is encouraged to contact New Orleans Police Department Homicide Detective Gregory Johnson at (504) 658-5300.

[Image via Michael DeMocker from Nola.com/The Times-Picayune)