NEW ORLEANS, La. — A quiet neighborhood in New Orleans East has been left in shock after a family tragedy that claimed the life of Dr. Samuel Eweni, a respected professor at Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO), and left two of his daughters injured. Police say the suspect is his 25-year-old son, Chukwuebuka Eweni, who is now in custody and facing charges of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder.
According to the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), the attack occurred Tuesday evening at the family’s home on Pebble Drive. What began as a peaceful night reportedly turned horrific when Chukwuebuka allegedly grabbed a knife and attacked his father and sisters without warning. Family members told WWL Louisiana that there had been no argument prior to the assault.
Neighbors and relatives are struggling to make sense of the tragedy. Those close to the family say Chukwuebuka had been battling mental health issues for years but had never shown violent tendencies. “It was just a normal evening,” one relative said quietly. “No one could have imagined something like this happening.”
Emergency responders arrived quickly, but Dr. Eweni was pronounced dead at the scene. One daughter was treated for injuries and released, while the other remains hospitalized in stable condition. After the stabbing, authorities say Chukwuebuka went to New Orleans East Hospital, where he had previously sought mental health care. Unaware of the crime, hospital staff reportedly transferred him to another facility in Jefferson Parish. Police later located and arrested him there Wednesday morning.
The devastating loss has sent shockwaves through SUNO’s College of Business and Public Administration, where Dr. Eweni was a longtime faculty member admired for his dedication and compassion. In a statement, SUNO Chancellor Dr. Joseph Bouie, Jr. expressed profound sorrow: “Dr. Eweni was more than an educator — he was a mentor, a friend, and a guiding light to countless students. His impact on our campus community will never be forgotten.”
As investigators work to uncover what led to the fatal outburst, the community is left grieving the loss of a man remembered for his intellect, humility, and devotion to education. Friends and colleagues say Dr. Eweni’s legacy will live on in the lives of his students — a lasting reminder of a life dedicated to knowledge, kindness, and service.
