Campus Alert Archive
Tulane

Fatal shooting at a public library near the downtown campus; suspect arrested

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LAaggravated assaulttimely warninghigh confidence
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Confirmed Threat

On April 7, 2023, two non-Tulane individuals fought over a firearm at the New Orleans Public Library near Tulane's downtown campus, and the perpetrator shot the victim twice in the chest before fleeing toward LaSalle Street. The victim, a 72-year-old man, was pronounced dead at University Medical Center at 2:44 PM CDT. Tulane's Department of Public Safety issued a Clery Act safety notice for aggravated assault by shooting in Clery-reportable geography near the Murphy and Tidewater buildings.

Alerts
1
Response
—
Killed
1
Injured
0
Institution
Tulane University
Private R1 · LA
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~14,000 studentsTU Alerts
Official alert policy
Read when and how Tulane says it will use TU Alert (Everbridge): summarized, quoted, and analyzed.
Documented Timeline

Alert Sequence

1 message in sequence · 1 verified verbatim

INITIAL ALERTEmail
Verified verbatimTulane University Department of Public Safety Safety Notice (PDF, archived)741 chars
Subject: Safety Notice – Aggravated Assault by Shooting – Downtown Off-Campus On April 7, 2023, at approximately 2:20 pm, the Tulane University Police Department learned that an aggravated assault by shooting had occurred on Loyola Avenue in front of the New Orleans Public Library. Two non-Tulane affiliated individuals inside the library became involved in an altercation that became physical in nature, and during the encounter the two began to fight over a firearm which resulted in the victim being shot twice in the chest. The perpetrator fled down Gravier in the direction of LaSalle and then unknown. Members of the Tulane community are reminded to be aware of your surroundings and whenever possible, travel well-lit, busy routes.
Verbatim text from the publicly archived TUPD Safety Notice PDF dated 04/07/23
TUPD learned of the incident at approximately 2:20 PM CDT, and the safety notice was sent shortly thereafter
Although the alert described the victim as 'shot twice in the chest', the 72-year-old victim was pronounced dead at University Medical Center at 2:44 PM CDT, minutes after TUPD learned of the shooting
The notice did not name the suspect; suspect Lance Morris Lewis was later identified through a witness photo lineup and booked on second-degree murder
Tulane's downtown medical campus sits adjacent to the New Orleans Public Library at 219 Loyola Avenue, placing the incident inside Clery geography for the downtown campus
Message elements

How the first alert is built

To check this alert, Claude (an AI) read it in full 25 separate times, independently. Each read decided whether the message answers each of the six questions and gave a short reason. A final reviewer then weighed all 25 and wrote the plain-English verdict you see when you open a row. The score (for example 22/25) is how many reads agreed; the 25 individual reads are tucked underneath if you want to check them.

Subject: Safety Notice – Aggravated Assault by Shooting – Downtown Off-Campus On April 7, 2023, at approximately 2:20 pm, the Tulane University Police Department learned that an aggravated assault by shooting had occurred on Loyola Avenue in front of the New Orleans Public Library. Two non-Tulane affiliated individuals inside the library became involved in an altercation that became physical in nature, and during the encounter the two began to fight over a firearm which resulted in the victim being shot twice in the chest. The perpetrator fled down Gravier in the direction of LaSalle and then unknown. Members of the Tulane community are reminded to be aware of your surroundings and whenever possible, travel well-lit, busy routes.

  • Sourcepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Unanimous: it names the Tulane University Police Department, identifying the source.

    Who is sending the alert and who is responding. People act faster on a message from a clearly identifiable, credible sender, such as a named department, the police, or a branded alert system, than on an anonymous notice. A branded signature counts.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It names "the Tulane University Police Department" as learning of the incident.
    2. present: It names "the Tulane University Police Department".
    3. present: It names "Tulane University Police Department".
    4. present: It names "the Tulane University Police Department".
    5. present: It names "the Tulane University Police Department" as the sender.
    6. present: It names "the Tulane University Police Department", identifying the source.
    7. present: It names "the Tulane University Police Department", a responding authority.
    8. present: It names "the Tulane University Police Department".
    9. present: "Tulane University Police Department" identifies the sender.
    10. present: It names "the Tulane University Police Department".
    11. present: It names "the Tulane University Police Department" as having learned of it.
    12. present: It names "the Tulane University Police Department" as the source.
    13. present: It names "the Tulane University Police Department".
    14. present: It names "Tulane University Police Department", the issuing authority.
    15. present: It names "the Tulane University Police Department".
    16. present: It names "the Tulane University Police Department", identifying the authority.
    17. present: It names "the Tulane University Police Department", the sender.
    18. present: It names "the Tulane University Police Department".
    19. present: It names the "Tulane University Police Department" and is a "Safety Notice".
    20. present: It names "the Tulane University Police Department".
    21. present: It names "the Tulane University Police Department" as the sender.
    22. present: Names "the Tulane University Police Department".
    23. present: Names "the Tulane University Police Department" as the issuing authority.
    24. present: "the Tulane University Police Department" identifies the sending authority.
    25. present: It names "the Tulane University Police Department".
  • Hazardpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Unanimous: it names an aggravated assault by shooting, a specific hazard.

    What the threat actually is. A complete warning names the specific danger, such as a shooter, a fire, a tornado, or a gas leak, rather than a vague emergency, because people decide what to do based on what they are facing.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It names "an aggravated assault by shooting", a specific hazard.
    2. present: It names "an aggravated assault by shooting", a specific crime.
    3. present: It names "aggravated assault by shooting".
    4. present: It names "an aggravated assault by shooting", a specific threat.
    5. present: It names "an aggravated assault by shooting", a specific hazard.
    6. present: It names "an aggravated assault by shooting", a specific hazard.
    7. present: It names "an aggravated assault by shooting", a specific threat.
    8. present: It names "aggravated assault by shooting", a specific threat.
    9. present: It names an "aggravated assault by shooting", a specific threat.
    10. present: It names "an aggravated assault by shooting", a specific threat.
    11. present: It names "Aggravated Assault by Shooting", a specific threat.
    12. present: It names "an aggravated assault by shooting", a specific hazard.
    13. present: It names "an aggravated assault by shooting" with a victim shot, a specific threat.
    14. present: It names "aggravated assault by shooting", a specific threat.
    15. present: It names "an aggravated assault by shooting", a specific threat.
    16. present: It names "an aggravated assault by shooting", a specific threat.
    17. present: It names "an aggravated assault by shooting", a specific threat.
    18. present: It names "aggravated assault by shooting", a specific threat.
    19. present: It names an "aggravated assault by shooting", a specific threat.
    20. present: It names "an aggravated assault by shooting", a specific threat.
    21. present: It names "an aggravated assault by shooting", a specific crime.
    22. present: Names "aggravated assault by shooting".
    23. present: Names "an aggravated assault by shooting", a specific threat.
    24. present: It names "an aggravated assault by shooting", a specific threat.
    25. present: It describes "aggravated assault by shooting", a specific crime.
  • Locationpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Unanimous: it locates it on Loyola Avenue in front of the New Orleans Public Library, a stated location.

    Where the threat is. Saying whether danger is in a specific building, a part of campus, or area-wide lets people judge their own proximity and choose a safe direction. Without a where, a warning is hard to act on precisely.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It locates it "on Loyola Avenue in front of the New Orleans Public Library".
    2. present: It locates it "on Loyola Avenue in front of the New Orleans Public Library".
    3. present: It locates it "on Loyola Avenue in front of the New Orleans Public Library".
    4. present: It says "on Loyola Avenue in front of the New Orleans Public Library".
    5. present: It locates it "on Loyola Avenue in front of the New Orleans Public Library".
    6. present: It specifies "Loyola Avenue in front of the New Orleans Public Library", a location.
    7. present: It locates it on "Loyola Avenue in front of the New Orleans Public Library", a specific place.
    8. present: It names "Loyola Avenue in front of the New Orleans Public Library".
    9. present: It locates it "on Loyola Avenue in front of the New Orleans Public Library".
    10. present: It locates it "on Loyola Avenue in front of the New Orleans Public Library".
    11. present: It specifies "Loyola Avenue in front of the New Orleans Public Library".
    12. present: It names "Loyola Avenue in front of the New Orleans Public Library".
    13. present: It locates it "on Loyola Avenue in front of the New Orleans Public Library".
    14. present: It names "Loyola Avenue in front of the New Orleans Public Library", a specific place.
    15. present: It locates it "on Loyola Avenue in front of the New Orleans Public Library".
    16. present: It names "Loyola Avenue in front of the New Orleans Public Library".
    17. present: It says "Loyola Avenue in front of the New Orleans Public Library", a specific place.
    18. present: It locates it "on Loyola Avenue in front of the New Orleans Public Library".
    19. present: It locates it "on Loyola Avenue in front of the New Orleans Public Library".
    20. present: It locates it "on Loyola Avenue in front of the New Orleans Public Library".
    21. present: It locates it "on Loyola Avenue in front of the New Orleans Public Library".
    22. present: Gives location "Loyola Avenue in front of the New Orleans Public Library".
    23. present: Locates it "on Loyola Avenue in front of the New Orleans Public Library".
    24. present: It names "Loyola Avenue in front of the New Orleans Public Library", a specific place.
    25. present: It locates it "on Loyola Avenue in front of the New Orleans Public Library".
  • Guidancepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Unanimous: it reminds people to be aware of surroundings and travel well-lit, busy routes, protective guidance.

    The protective action to take. A clear, specific instruction, such as shelter in place, evacuate, avoid the area, or run-hide-fight, drives faster and more correct protective behavior than describing the threat alone.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It reminds community members to "be aware of your surroundings" and "travel well-lit, busy routes".
    2. present: It reminds members to "be aware of your surroundings" and "travel well-lit, busy routes".
    3. present: It reminds members to "be aware of your surroundings" and "travel well-lit, busy routes".
    4. present: It reminds community to "be aware of your surroundings" and "travel well-lit, busy routes".
    5. present: It reminds community members to "be aware of your surroundings" and "travel well-lit, busy routes".
    6. present: It reminds the community "to be aware of your surroundings" and "travel well-lit, busy routes", protective actions.
    7. present: It reminds members to "be aware of your surroundings" and "travel well-lit, busy routes", protective actions.
    8. present: It reminds members to "be aware of your surroundings" and "travel well-lit, busy routes".
    9. present: It reminds the community to "be aware of your surroundings" and "travel well-lit, busy routes".
    10. present: It reminds the community to "be aware of your surroundings" and "travel well-lit, busy routes".
    11. present: It reminds the community "to be aware of your surroundings" and "travel well-lit, busy routes".
    12. present: It reminds community members to "be aware of your surroundings" and "travel well-lit, busy routes".
    13. present: It reminds the community to "be aware of your surroundings" and travel well-lit routes.
    14. present: It reminds members "to be aware of your surroundings" and travel well-lit routes, protective actions.
    15. present: It reminds the community to "be aware of your surroundings" and "travel well-lit, busy routes".
    16. present: It reminds community to "be aware of your surroundings" and "travel well-lit, busy routes".
    17. present: It reminds members "to be aware of your surroundings" and "travel well-lit, busy routes".
    18. present: It reminds the community to "be aware of your surroundings" and "travel well-lit, busy routes".
    19. present: It reminds the community to "be aware of your surroundings" and "travel well-lit, busy routes".
    20. present: It reminds members "to be aware of your surroundings" and "travel well-lit, busy routes".
    21. present: It reminds members to "be aware of your surroundings" and travel well-lit routes.
    22. present: Reminds community to "be aware of your surroundings" and "travel well-lit, busy routes".
    23. present: Reminds members "to be aware of your surroundings" and travel well-lit routes.
    24. present: It reminds the community "to be aware of your surroundings" and "travel well-lit, busy routes", protective actions.
    25. present: It reminds members "to be aware of your surroundings" and travel "well-lit, busy routes".
  • Timepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Unanimous: it states April 7, 2023, at approximately 2:20 pm, a date and time.

    When the message applies. A timestamp, the word now or immediately, or a phrase like until further notice tells the reader whether the danger is current and how quickly to act.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It states "On April 7, 2023, at approximately 2:20 pm", a date and time.
    2. present: It states "On April 7, 2023, at approximately 2:20 pm".
    3. present: It gives date and time, "On April 7, 2023, at approximately 2:20 pm".
    4. present: It gives "April 7, 2023, at approximately 2:20 pm".
    5. present: It gives a date and time, "On April 7, 2023, at approximately 2:20 pm".
    6. present: It states "On April 7, 2023, at approximately 2:20 pm", specific timing.
    7. present: It gives a date and time: "On April 7, 2023, at approximately 2:20 pm".
    8. present: It gives a date and time, "On April 7, 2023, at approximately 2:20 pm".
    9. present: It gives a date and time, "On April 7, 2023, at approximately 2:20 pm".
    10. present: It gives a time, "On April 7, 2023, at approximately 2:20 pm".
    11. present: It states "On April 7, 2023, at approximately 2:20 pm".
    12. present: It gives a date and time, "April 7, 2023, at approximately 2:20 pm".
    13. present: It gives a date and time, "On April 7, 2023, at approximately 2:20 pm".
    14. present: It gives "April 7, 2023, at approximately 2:20 pm", a date and time.
    15. present: It gives "April 7, 2023, at approximately 2:20 pm".
    16. present: It states "On April 7, 2023, at approximately 2:20 pm", a date and clock time.
    17. present: It says "On April 7, 2023, at approximately 2:20 pm", clock and date.
    18. present: It gives a date and time, "On April 7, 2023, at approximately 2:20 pm".
    19. present: It gives a date and time, "April 7, 2023, at approximately 2:20 pm".
    20. present: It gives "April 7, 2023, at approximately 2:20 pm".
    21. present: It gives "April 7, 2023, at approximately 2:20 pm", a date and time.
    22. present: Gives "April 7, 2023, at approximately 2:20 pm".
    23. present: Gives the time, "at approximately 2:20 pm" on April 7, 2023.
    24. present: It states "On April 7, 2023, at approximately 2:20 pm", a specific time.
    25. present: It gives a date and time, "On April 7, 2023, at approximately 2:20 pm".
  • Impactpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, unanimous. Reads agree the alert reports an aggravated assault, a stated harm to a person.

    What the hazard could do to the people in its path. Beyond naming the threat, a complete warning conveys its potential consequences or severity, such as that a tornado can level buildings or that a leak could be explosive, so recipients grasp how much danger they are in. Research on warning message content finds that a concrete impact statement helps people personalize their risk and act sooner.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: Reports a victim was shot twice in the chest, a clearly stated injury.
    2. present: Reports a victim being shot twice in the chest, a clearly stated harm to a person.
    3. present: States a victim was shot twice in the chest, a clearly stated injury to a person.
    4. present: It reports a victim being shot twice in the chest during an aggravated assault, a clear stated harm.
    5. present: Reports a victim was shot twice in the chest, stating actual harm to a person.
    6. present: Describes a victim being shot twice in the chest, an explicit serious harm to a person.
    7. present: It reports a victim being shot twice in the chest, a stated serious harm.
    8. present: It reports a victim was shot twice in the chest, a clearly stated harm to a person.
    9. present: Describes a victim shot twice in the chest, a clearly stated harm to a person.
    10. present: Describes a victim being shot twice in the chest, an explicit harm to a person.
    11. present: It reports a victim was shot twice in the chest, a clearly stated harm to a person.
    12. present: It reports a victim being shot twice in the chest, a clearly stated harm to a person.
    13. present: It reports a victim being shot twice in the chest, a clearly stated harm to a person.
    14. present: It reports a victim was shot twice in the chest, a clearly stated serious injury.
    15. present: Describes a victim being shot twice in the chest, a clearly stated harm to a person.
    16. present: Describes a victim being shot twice in the chest, a clearly stated harm.
    17. present: It reports a victim was shot twice in the chest, an explicit harm to a person.
    18. present: It describes a shooting in which a victim was shot twice in the chest, a stated serious harm.
    19. present: It states the victim was shot twice in the chest, an explicit serious injury.
    20. present: Describes a victim being shot twice in the chest, a clearly stated injury.
    21. present: It reports a victim being shot twice in the chest, a clearly stated harm to a person.
    22. present: It states a victim was shot twice in the chest, a clearly stated harm to a person.
    23. present: Describes a victim being shot twice in the chest, an explicit serious harm.
    24. present: It reports a victim being shot twice in the chest, a stated serious injury.
    25. present: It reports a victim was shot twice in the chest, a clearly stated injury.

Systematic AI judgments with visible reasoning, not human-validated codings.

About this analysis
Context

Background

On Friday, April 7, 2023, the Tulane University Department of Public Safety issued a Clery Act safety notice describing an aggravated assault by shooting at the New Orleans Public Library, immediately adjacent to Tulane's downtown medical campus. According to TUPD, two non-Tulane individuals became involved in a physical altercation in which they fought over a firearm; the perpetrator shot the victim twice in the chest before fleeing west on Gravier Street toward LaSalle Street. The New Orleans Police Department investigated. Tulane's crime alerts archive preserves the safety notice as a PDF, making this one of the rare cases where a verbatim Clery notice is publicly accessible. The downtown campus, anchored by the Tulane School of Medicine and Tidewater Building, sits within walking distance of the public library at 219 Loyola Avenue, and the 2023-2024 Annual Security Report reflects this notice in Clery-reportable categories.
Analysis

Key Findings

Tulane publicly archives full safety-notice PDFs, allowing verbatim Clery alert text to remain accessible years later
The notice illustrates how Clery's continuing-threat trigger applies to off-campus violence in immediately contiguous public space
Even when neither party is university-affiliated, a violent crime in Clery geography requires a timely warning if the suspect remains at large
Outcome
The victim, a 72-year-old man, was transported with two gunshot wounds to the chest and pronounced dead at University Medical Center at 2:44 PM CDT. Suspect Lance Morris Lewis, 29, was later arrested and booked on second-degree murder, aggravated assault with a firearm, aggravated second-degree battery, and possession of a firearm by a felon. Neither party was affiliated with Tulane.
Provenance

Sources

  1. Official
    Safety Notice (Aggravated Assault by Shooting) Downtown Off-Campus 04/07/23 (Tulane)
    publicsafety.tulane.edu
    archived copy
  2. Official
    Crime Alerts (Tulane Public Safety)
    publicsafety.tulane.edu
    archived copy
  3. Clery ASR
    2023-2024 Tulane University Annual Security & Fire Safety Report
    publicsafety.tulane.edu
    archived copy
Cite this case

Campus Alert Archive. "Tulane University: Fatal shooting at a public library near the downtown campus; suspect arrested." Incident of April 7, 2023. Added May 2026; last updated July 2026. https://campusalertarchive.com/case/tulane-university-downtown-aggravated-assault-2023-04-07/

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Alert text quoted on this page remains the work of the issuing institution; the archive is a secondary source.

Tags
aggravated-assaultshootingtulaneprivate-r1louisianadowntown-campusclery-safety-noticeoff-campus
Added May 2026Updated July 2026Via ingestion