The NOPD has charged Evans Rogers (Black male) and Devante Traylor (Black male) with second degree murder and illegal use of weapons in connection with the shooting death of nine-year-old Lee’Lani Brooks.
NOPD sought to upgrade charges on both after the Orleans Parish Coroner confirmed the death of Lee’Lani Brooks on Monday, May 19, 2025.
In addition, NOPD is seeking to locate Kerry Sterling, 50 (Pictured, Black male), as a person of interest in the investigation.
Sterling is not wanted for this crime. However, detectives believe he has information pertinent to their investigation.
Rogers and Traylor both remain incarcerated in the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center after their arrest last week at a Westbank Hotel. Both with be transferred to Orleans Parish in the near future.
Special thanks to the U.S. Marshals and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Department for their assistance in this investigation.
Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Kerry Sterling is asked to contact NOPD’s Homicide Unit at (504) 658-5300 or Crimestoppers anonymously at (504) 822-1111.
