16-year-old killed in shooting on Airline Highway

According to the police

was shot and killed shortly after 2 a.m. Sunday.

Henry was driving in this black Dodge Challenger on the Skyway when a car pulled up alongside them and opened fire.

At least one gunshot hit Henry, she later died at St. James Hospital.

“We strongly believe she was not the intended target,” Sheriff Mike Tregre said.

In this surveillance video obtained exclusively by WDSU, it shows what allegedly happened just minutes before the shooting.

The car the 16-year-old was in with five others stopped at a fast truck shop.

“They turn into a truck stop where they were buying snacks. You can see the suspects' vehicle parked right in front of them and waiting in the darkness to stalk them.” » said Sheriff Mike Tregre.

As soon as they finish eating snacks, they get in the car and drive east on the airline highway.

A few seconds after they leave the parking lot, a silver car chases them.

The suspects' car, which police confirmed was stolen, drives up behind them on the driver's side and fires at least four shots.

Sheriff Mike Tregre added, “This car has been stolen from New Orleans since March. We strongly believe that persons or suspects have recently been traveling in this vehicle in St. John Parish.”

The car was found by police in a field covered with a tarpaulin. Aariah Henry was a Grade 10 student at East Saint John Secondary School. Sheriff Mike Tregre says her teachers spoke highly of her.

“Good kid, no problems, just a beautiful young woman whose life was tragically and violently taken away. Whoever did this needs to be incarcerated.”

The car the 16-year-old was in is now riddled with bullets. The sheriff says whoever took the 16-year-old's life needs to be incarcerated.

“I'm not here to talk about minors going out at night or early in the morning, my main goal is to get justice for this little girl.”

Previous report: The St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Office is investigating a shooting that left a 16-year-old girl dead.

Aariah Henry, of the reserves, was shot and killed early Sunday morning, shortly after 2 a.m., on Airline Highway near Central Avenue.

Henry was taken to hospital but later died from her injuries.

Deputies believe she was not the intended target of the shooting.

Detectives have no leads at this time, but anyone with information is encouraged to call the St. John Parish Sheriff's Office at 504-494-2674.