Second Line Planned for Slain New Orleans Bartender and Marine Veteran Michael Garcia

A second line is planned for Saturday, April 12, 2026, to honor Michael Garcia, a New Orleans bartender and Marine veteran who was killed as an innocent bystander in a crossfire shooting on April 7, 2026.

Garcia, 41, was shot in the head while driving his vehicle near the intersection of North Claiborne Avenue and Desire Street around 5 p.m. On April 7. He was transported by paramedics to University Medical Center, where he died approximately one hour later.

Investigation and Arrests

New Orleans police arrested 48-year-old Terrence Leavell in connection with the shooting. Leavell was booked on charges of manslaughter, possession of a firearm by a felon, and illegal discharge of a weapon. His bond was set at $700,000 on April 9, 2026.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit, NOPD officers responded to reports of gunfire and a vehicle crash. Investigators determined that a shootout occurred between two vehicles, and one of the individuals being shot at attempted to flee the scene and crashed into Garcia’s vehicle.

Detectives identified a second crime scene approximately one block away near North Derbigny and Desire streets, where multiple shell casings were recovered. Police located a firearm inside Leavell’s home. Leavell told investigators he fired shots to protect his nephew after a group in an SUV pointed guns at him while they were at a corner store near Desire Street and North Claiborne Avenue.

Community Impact and Legacy

Garcia was a native of Dallas, Texas, and a father to a 19-year-old student at the University of New Orleans. He was a former Marine who served multiple tours in Iraq.

In New Orleans, Garcia worked as a bartender at Care Forgot Beercraft. The brewery closed for the day following the incident to honor his memory, describing him in a social media post as a man who created communities around him wherever he went.

Beyond his professional life, Garcia was known as a crawfish maestro who incorporated unconventional ingredients such as pineapple, anise, tortellini, and ravioli into his boils. He also served as the lead of site operations for Engulf, a regional Burning Man event, where he was responsible for ensuring the safety of attendees on the forested acreage.

He was so beautiful. He served many tours in Iraq, and he hated violence, and he was a sweetheart.

Dr. Stephanie Baran, best friend of Michael Garcia