17-year-old shooting victim identified
by The Times-Picayune
Friday March 14, 2008, 6:54 PM
The 17-year-old shot to death Wednesdsay night in the 1600 block of Frenchmen Street has been identified by the Orleans Parish Coroner's office as Lance Zarders of New Orleans.

Police officers sent to that location after getting a 9 p.m. call about a man shot there found Zarders lying in the street with multiple gunshot wounds. Zarders was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical technicians, according to John Gagliano of the Orleans Parish Coroner's office..

A dark-colored van was seen leaving the area after the shooting, police said.
Homicide detective Anthony Pardo is investigating.

Police asked anyone with information about the incident to call Crimestoopes at 822-1111 or toll-free at 1-977-903-7867. A caller could receive a cash reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to an arrest and indictment in the case.
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Lance was clever, and mischievous. His writing was full of humor and insight into human character. As my friend Kiersten (another teacher of his) quipped, "I always thought he'd grow up with funny stories of what a pain-in-the-ass he was in school." We all expected Lance to grow out of the trouble he made, especially since most of it was typical adolescent behavior.

In the time Lance was at Charter, he learned to fight us less, and work with us more. And when we shook hands at graduation, I remember the feeling that he'd transcended so many hurdles, and had learned to be a part of our community, and he had learned from each of us, just as we'd learned from him.

I loved you Lance. You are gone much too soon. And I'm left with questions and anger. What happened? Why did you make these choices? What could've been done to help you?