NOPD Arrests Suspect Jamal Washington Over Murder of Christopher Cooke, Reginald Ware

The NOPD on Wednesday arrested Jamal Washington (black male) in its investigation of two homicide incidents, both occurring on July 31, 2024.

On July 31, the NOPD was notified of two homicide incidents – one occurring in the 8300 block of South I-10 Service Road in the Seventh District and the second occurring in the 3700 block of Texas Drive in the Fourth District.

As the investigation progressed, NOPD Homicide Section detectives determined the two incidents to be connected.

On August 2, 2024, the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office identified the victim in the South I-10 Service Road homicide as 42-year-old Christopher Cooke and the victim in the Texas Drive homicide as 38-year-old Reginald Ware, and determined each victim’s preliminary cause of death to be from gunshot-related injuries.

Through further investigation, detectives developed Washington as a person of interest.

Earlier Wednesday, Washington was located and interviewed.

Following the interview, detectives determined Washington to have direct involvement in this incident and obtained warrants for Washington’s arrest on one count each of second-degree murder in each incident.

Washington was subsequently booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Centre on the charges.

All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Anyone with additional information that can assist in these investigations is urged to contact NOPD Homicide Section detectives at 504-658-5300.