A well-known Black Lives Matter leader who was slain in New Orleans earlier this month is believed to have been the victim of an attempted robbery, authorities said on Wednesday.
Muhiyidin d’Baha, 32, was found shot in the early morning hours of February 6 while riding his bicycle on Bienville Street, with his bicycle at the end of a six-block trail of blood, the NOLA Times-Picayune reported.
The activist died later that day from blood loss related to the gun shot wound in his thigh, his relatives wrote in a GoFundMe campaign launched to raise money to bring his body home to Charleston, South Carolina.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact the NOPD Police Department.
Well-known Black Lives Matter leader Muhiyidin d’Baha, 32, who was slain in New Orleans earlier this month is now believed to have been the victim of an attempted robbery
d’Baha, whose legal last name was Moye, achieved notoriety for jumping through caution tape set up by police to take a Confederate flag away from a protester on live television at the College of Charleston in February 2017.
Though the nation took notice of d’Baha then, his family and loved ones, who referred to him simply as ‘Moye’ or ‘Moya,’ said his work within the Black Lives Matter movement ran much deeper than that isolated incident.
d’Baha referred to his activism as ‘putting in work,’ his girlfriend, Erica Veal, told the NOLA Times-Picayune at the time of his death.
d’Baha, whose legal last name was Moye, achieved notoriety for jumping through caution tape set up by police to take a Confederate flag away from a protester on live television at the College of Charleston in February 2017
Though the nation took notice of d’Baha then, his family and loved ones, who referred to him simply as ‘Moye’ or ‘Moya,’ said his work within the Black Lives Matter movement ran much deeper than that isolated incident
Thomas Dixon, a North Charleston pastor who often worked side by side in activism with d’Baha, who practiced the religion of Baha’I, echoed what a great loss this was to their community.
‘They’ll never know it. Whether it was accidental or intentional, that person, at least in this realm, will never know what they took away from the world,’ Dixon said of d’Baha’s killer.
d’Baha was in New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras, and connect with local musicians, Veal said.
d’Baha was in New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras, and connect with local musicians
The percussionist, guitarist, flutist, pianist and marimba player, who is said to have loved drums the most, had arrived to the city on February 2, and four days later, he was dead
The percussionist, guitarist, flutist, pianist and marimba player, who Veal said loved drums the most, had arrived to the city on February 2.
Four days later, d’Baha was dead.
Camille Weaver, his niece who was responsible for creating an account to raise money for the transport of his body and a memorial service, said the family learned of his passy at around 9.30 am the next day, through a phone call from an official ‘saying that he had died due to excessive blood loss.’
NOPD Homicide Detective Brett Mathes is in charge of the investigation into d’Baha’s death, which remains ongoing at this time.
NOPD is offering a cash reward of up to $5,000 for anyone who can provide information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case.
Mathes can be reached at 504-658-5300 with any information.
Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crimestoppers by calling 504-822-1111 or toll-free 1-877-903-STOP (7867).
NOPD Homicide Detective Brett Mathes is in charge of the investigation into d’Baha’s death, which remains ongoing at this time; Mathes can be reached with tips at 504-658-5300