Share this @internewscast.com

An 80-year-old woman was shot dead by a stray bullet just moments after watching her grandson receive his high school diploma.

Augustine Greenwood, 80, was walking from Xavier University’s Convocation Center in New Orleans -where Morris Jeff High School was holding its graduation ceremony –  back to her family’s car at around 11.45 am Tuesday, when she was struck by a stray bullet.

The family was about to head out to a meal celebrating her grandson, Corey Lashley Jr.’s graduation from high school that morning when the mother of six daughters and grandmother of 15 was shot.

Paramedics brought her to a local hospital, NOLA.com reports, but she was pronounced dead later in the afternoon.

By around 6 pm, her daughter, Geraldine Greenwood-Lashley, took to Facebook to call out about the gun violence that took her mother’s life.

‘Please people stop the violence,’ she wrote, including a message to the young ladies that started all of this: “Today you took my world away from me and my family, all you had to do was walk away. It was graduation for my son, my mom was so happy to see her youngest grandchild graduate. You have ruined my son and family’s world, all you had to do was walk away.”

‘I am going to pray for you, may the Lord have mercy on you,’ she added. ‘I love you, mama, you are with your heavenly family now.’

Two other unidentified men were also shot – one in the shoulder, and the other in the leg – but are expected to survive, according to the Associated Press.

Augustine Greenwood, 80, was struck by a stray bullet on Tuesday morning and was pronounced dead at a local hospital later in the afternoon

Augustine Greenwood, 80, was struck by a stray bullet on Tuesday morning and was pronounced dead at a local hospital later in the afternoon

Greenwood, left, had been attending her grandson's high school graduation - which was held at Xavier University's Convocation Center in New Orleans - when the shooting occurred

Greenwood, left, had been attending her grandson’s high school graduation – which was held at Xavier University’s Convocation Center in New Orleans – when the shooting occurred

Her daughter Geraldine Greenwood-Lashley, took to Facebook to call out the gun violence that took her mother's life

Her daughter Geraldine Greenwood-Lashley, took to Facebook to call out on the gun violence that took her mother’s life

New Orleans Police Department Deputy Chief Christopher Goodly said the shooting began after a fight between two women in the parking lot.

He said in a news conference on Wednesday morning that two to three people had been brought in for questioning, but no arrests have been made in the shooting.

‘This did not have to happen,’ he told WWL-TV.

‘We had a good amount of security here, interior coverage and exterior coverage,’ he said. ‘Xavier Police were on the scene along with Second District Police.’

Guns were later found on the scene, and police are continuing to investigate the shooting.

Those who graduated on Tuesday recounted the terrifying moments the shooting unfolded, as the Morris Jeff High School graduation was letting out.

‘We just heard gunshots,’ one of the graduating seniors told WWL-TV. ‘They were fighting, my cousin said “they’re fighting over there, let’s go.” Then I heard gunshots.’

Another graduate told the news station: ‘One of my friend’s grandma’s got shot right in the middle of the street, and she didn’t have anything to do with it.

‘She got shot in the head,’ the graduate said at the time. ‘She’s in critical condition.’

In the aftermath, New Orleans Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr issued a statement reading: ‘This has got to stop.

‘We must come together as a community, as a country, and address the damage caused by access to guns and to get to the root of the anger and despair that compels individuals to even think of harming others.’

New Orleans police remained on the scene of Xavier University on Wednesday morning

New Orleans police remained on the scene of Xavier University on Wednesday morning

Authorities say the shooting broke out at around 11.45am following a dispute in the parking lot between two women

Authorities say the shooting broke out at around 11.45 am following a dispute in the parking lot between two women

Two other men were also injured in the shooting, and police have brought two to three people in for questioning but have not yet made any arrests

 Two other men were also injured in the shooting, and police have brought two to three people in for questioning but have not yet made any arrests

Family members and friends are now trying to grip the fact that what should have been a joyous day turned sad.

‘Instead of celebrating, we wound up sad, crying,’ Greenwood’s son-in-law Corey Lashley Sr. told NOLA.com.

‘It is sad,’ his son, Corey Lashley Jr. said to WDSU. ‘She came out to see me for my graduation. I did not expect any of this to happen.

‘I thought it would be a happy day, but it turned out to be a pretty bad day.’

He said he is still finding it hard to believe he would never see his grandmother, who used to pick him up from preschool, again – but said he will try his best to make her proud.

‘I am going to keep going strong for my grandmother, and do great things like I knew she would have wanted me to.’

Greenwood grew up in New Orleans and was a retired housekeeper, who enjoyed going to the casinos with Geraldine

Greenwood grew up in New Orleans and was a retired housekeeper, who enjoyed going to the casinos with Geraldine

She considered herself a 'Black Grandmother' to neighbor Dave Anderson's children (pictured)

She considered herself a ‘Black Grandmother’ to neighbor Dave Anderson’s children (pictured)

Greenwood's family is now trying to reconcile how what should have been a joyous day turned sorrowful. They are seen speaking to WDSU

Greenwood’s family is now trying to reconcile how what should have been a joyous day turned sorrowful. They are seen speaking to WDSU

Neighbor Dave Anderson said he was able to photograph her for many years and 'was lucky enough to be able to experience her sweet, nurturing affection and warmth everyday I was in her presence'

Neighbor Dave Anderson said he was able to photograph her for many years and ‘was lucky enough to be able to experience her sweet, nurturing affection and warmth every day I was in her presence

Family members describe her as the rock of the family who cared deeply for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and was beloved by everyone in the neighborhood.

She grew up in New Orleans and was a retired housekeeper, who enjoyed going to the casinos with Geraldine.

In recent years, Geraldine wrote on Facebook, that Greenwood ‘suffered from slight memory loss.’

Still, whenever Geraldine called, she wrote, Greenwood would say “I just took my medicine, I ate and I am watching Hallmark” or “I am in my “grandchildren’s garden.”

And Greenwood also seemed to be beloved by her community as well, with Dave Anderson posting on Facebook: ‘To know Augustine was to love her. She loved you right back in a manner that was absolute, unconditional, and true.

‘I photographed her for many years, and was lucky enough to be able to experience her sweet, nurturing affection and warmth every day I was in her presence.’

He noted that Greenwood ‘dubbed herself “Black Grandma”‘ to his children and was ‘always, ALWAYS attending to “her babies” as she called her beautiful kids and grandkids.

‘I love you, Miss Augustine. I ache for your family,’ Anderson wrote. ‘Thank you for being the literal definition of a rock in my mind.

‘And let’s also salute moms, grandmas, and the millions of indefatigable black women like her as we honor and mourn her great soul and beautiful life.’

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Jacksonville woman wins $5 million from Florida Lottery scratch-off game

Jacksonville Resident Hits $5 Million Jackpot on Florida Lottery Scratch-Off

The Florida Lottery says the woman chose to receive her winnings as…
'American Idol' winner Iam Tongi records 'Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride' for 'Lilo & Stitch'

‘American Idol’ Champion Iam Tongi Covers ‘Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride’ for ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Soundtrack

From traditional Hawaiian music to the big hits of Elvis Presley, when…
Special prayer for Pope Leo XIV expected at Holy Name Cathedral Chicago's first Sunday Mass since election

Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago to Hold Special Prayer for Pope Leo XIV During First Sunday Mass Post-Election

CHICAGO (WLS) — Pope Leo XIV delivered his first Sunday blessing at…
Vladimir Putin at a shooting range, holding a handgun.

Exploring Putin’s Secretive New “KGB 2.0” Spy Unit Creating Chaos in the West Amid Trump Peace Negotiations

RUSSIA has unleashed a shadowy new spy unit tasked with sabotage, cyber…
A crowd of people surrounding a tipped-over truck in a wooded area.

Tragic Accident: Bus Plunges Down Mountain Near Popular Sri Lankan Waterfall, Killing 21

AT least 21 people have died after a bus skidded and fell…
9 Mother’s Day Movies on Netflix in 2025 To Celebrate Moms

9 Netflix Movies to Watch in 2025 for Mother’s Day Celebrations

By this point, it’s likely too late to book a Mother’s Day…
What were the most popular baby names in 2024? Top 10 revealed for Mother's Day

Discover the Top 10 Most Popular Baby Names of 2024 Just in Time for Mother’s Day!

The official list of America’s most popular baby names for 2024 has…
Florida man, 89, and his dog mauled to death by black bear in state's first fatal attack

89-Year-Old Florida Man and His Dog Fatally Attacked by Black Bear, Marking State’s First Deadly Incident

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) confirmed on Friday that…
Pope Leo XIV greeting the crowd.

Childhood Pope Leo Pretended to Be a Priest Using an Ironing Board and Cookies, Brother Shares

POPE LEO XIV played at being a priest as a child and…
Aerial view of a building being destroyed by an explosion.

Putin Launches Major Drone Assault on Ukraine Shortly After Suggesting Peace Talks

VLADIMIR Putin unleashed a large-scale attack of kamikaze drones on Ukraine shortly…
Neptune Beach speed cameras yield 92% drop in violations

Neptune Beach Sees 92% Decrease in Traffic Violations Thanks to Speed Cameras

Neptune Beach Police installed the cameras in two school zones on Florida…
Jack Della Maddalena captures UFC title with slugfest win over Belal Muhammad

Jack Della Maddalena Claims UFC Title with Thrilling Victory Over Belal Muhammad

MONTREAL — In the early hours of Sunday, Australian Jack Della Maddalena…