A seventh suspect has been arrested in connection with the murder of Marine Corps veteran and father Michael Garcia, 41, who was killed in crossfire in St. Claude during an alleged multigenerational drug feud in April.
Byron “BB” Dubose, 24, was apprehended in Houston by U.S. Marshals and Harris County law enforcement, the New Orleans Police Department confirmed Monday morning. Dubose was arrested as an out-of-state-fugitive on counts of second-degree murder, being a felon in possession of a firearm and obstruction of justice. He awaits extradition to New Orleans.
NOPD identified Dubose as the last of seven wanted suspects earlier this year, and the department circulated his photo on April 30.
Homicide detectives believe the gunfire that killed Garcia was sparked by a drug debt that sparked a feud at a St. Claude barbecue on April 7. Those previously arrested include Terrence Leavell, 49, and his nephew Alshawn “Osama” Watts, 21; Bennalynn Ingram, 39, and her daughter Mi’janae Ingram, 20; and Joshua “Money” Emery, 33, and Caron “Rondo” Fortenberry, 25.
Fortenberry allegedly ambushed Watts at the barbecue because he believed Watts had shorted him on a 10-gram baggie of marijuana. Watts fled in his vehicle.
The rest of the group went after him, putting on masks and hopping into Bennaynn Ingram’s car, according to officials. They chased Watts to the intersection of Desire Street and North Claiborne Avenue.
The ensuing gun battle ended with at least 60 shell casings from four firearms scattered in the street. One struck Garcia in the head, and he died at a hospital within an hour.
An Orleans Parish grand jury indicted Dubose and four co-defendants in June on counts of second-degree murder and obstruction of justice. Leavell and Watts were the only two of the seven wanted suspects who were not indicted. Leavell was jailed on a parole violation, and Watts was booked on two drug possession counts.
Orleans Parish Criminal District Court Judge Kimya Holmes on June 9 set seven-figure bonds for Fortenberry and Bennalynn and Mi’janae Ingram, and ordered Emery held without bail.