Wash. Bagel Shop Owner Is Fatally Shot in New Orleans

A Washington state bagel shop owner was gunned down while on vacation with his husband in New Orleans — and no suspects have been apprehended at this time, per authorities.

Jacob A. Carter, 32, was fatally shot on Jan. 5 around 1:30 a.m. near the intersection of Bourbon and Kerlerec streets in New Orleans, according to police.

“Investigators are gathering evidence and information to identify the person(s) responsible for this incident and a motive,” New Orleans police said in a statement after the incident.

Carter was the co-owner of a Tacoma bagel shop called Howdy Bagel with his business partner and husband Daniel. The two were vacationing in New Orleans at the time of the shooting, according to a social media post from Howdy Bagel.

“If you knew Jake, you know he was someone who exuded kindness, warmth, and genuine care to everyone he met,” the Instagram post reads. “Jake was one of the brightest spots in the lives of everyone he loved. This loss is immeasurable for our community.”

The popular bagel shop opened after Carter and his husband lost their jobs because of the pandemic, per KIRO-TV.

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The shop’s name Howdy “kind of invokes this sense of warmth and bringing people together, bringing people in and I think we are trying to foster a place of inclusiveness to everyone," Carter told King5 in July. "Daniel and I both grew up in environments they were not always that way, especially to queer folks, and so to have a storefront that feels welcoming to everyone I think is a big part of who we are and what we believe the space should be.”

A GoFundMe page has been created to cover the cost of the business' rent and operating expenses.

"The shop will be closed temporarily as we all navigate this time of grief," the fundraising page reads. "Daniel and Jacob have been continually blown away and grateful for the ways that this community has rallied together to support Howdy Bagel. We know that in this difficult season, you will all continue to show up with love and support."

Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111 or homicide detectives at (504) 658-5300. Crimestoppers tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward. 

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