Black Lives Matter activist shot in New Orleans may have been victim of attempted robbery

Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.

Muhiyidin d’Baha, the Black Lives Matter activist who was shot and killed in New Orleans earlier this month, may have been the victim of an attempted robbery.

New Orleans police said that d’Baha was shot while riding his bicycle and may have been a robbery target. According to Nola.com, responding officers found d’Baha on the ground in a blood trail that went on for nearly six blocks.

Although d’Baha was taken to the hospital, he ultimately passed away from his injuries.

New Orleans police are still looking for information on the shooting and have promised a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to an indictment.

An activist remembered

Muhiyidin d’Baha was best known for his actions captured on live television last year in which he tried to take a Confederate flag from a protester in South Carolina. The Black Lives Matter activist famously crossed police tape and grabbed the flagpole to try and bring it down.

He was later charged with disorderly conduct.

The Confederate-flag waving protesters were members of the South Carolina Secessionist Party. They had come to rally against a speech by Bree Newsome, the woman who took down the Confederate flag outside of the South Carolina State House.

After the news ofMuhiyidin d’Baha’s death, friends and loved ones posted their memories about the Black Lives Matter activist.

“What an incredible soul. I knew Moya over ten years ago when he was already so wise and was already bringing so much love and light into the world,” wrote Lindsay Keane, according to the New York Daily News. 

Black Lives Matter activist DeRay Mckesson said in a tweet that d’Baha was “such a force and an incredible guy.”

Camille Weaver, who said she was d’Baha’s niece, set up a GoFundMe page to bring her uncle’s body back to Charleston and to pay for the memorial service.

“Our family is beyond appreciative for the outpouring of love and support we’ve received today,” read a message from Weaver’s account. “Moya was a light and he will shine forever.”

SHARE THIS ARTICLE