More on the Shooting at Susan Spicer's Mondo

On Friday afternoon just after lunch service ended, a man was shot and killed in front of Susan Spicer's family-friendly Lakeview restaurant, Mondo. While customers were inside the restaurant at the time, and while the shooting occurred literally right outside the front door, nobody was hurt except for the shooter's primary target. Initial reports were understandably vague, but by late Friday night the Times-Pic confirmed that both the victim, 21 year-old Antonio Miller, and the (alleged) shooter, 44 year-old Ferrel Sampier, were employees of the restaurant.

Sampier is the grandfather of Miller's daughter and they were engaged in an ongoing domestic dispute argument about childcare. Susan Spicer told the Times-Pic that management knew about the dispute but didn't realize how serious it was. Sampier apparently confronted Miller on Friday afternoon, with the argument escalating to the point that Sampier shot and killed Miller. Sampier turned himself in late Friday night. In addition to working in the kitchen at Mondo, Miller was also the nephew of former New Orleans Saints player and local legend Pat Swilling.

Violent crime is relatively rare in Lakeview, especially along the commercial corridor of Harrison Avenue, making this even more shocking. But Mondo remains open and posted this note to their Facebook last night: "Thank you to all for your support during this very difficult time. We are healing individually and as a Mondo family with your continued compassion and support."

· Lakeview Shooting Victim Had Argued About the Care of his Daughter, Police Say [TP]
· Grandfather Arrested After Family Argument Sparks Lakeview Shooting [WDSU]
· Man Shot and Killed in Front of Mondo This Afternoon [-ENOLA-]

[Photo: Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office]