A 27-year-old Nigerian man, Chukwuebuka Eweni, has been arrested by police authorities in New Orleans, United States, after allegedly stabbing his father to death and injuring his two sisters during a violent domestic incident. The attack, which occurred on Pebble Street, has left both the Nigerian and American communities in shock.
Police said they were called to the home around 9:59 p.m. on November 11, 2025, following reports of a disturbance. When officers arrived at the scene, they found an adult male victim with multiple stab wounds. The victim was later identified as Mr. Samuel Eweni, a computer science professor at Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO). He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two adult female victims—reported to be the suspect’s sisters—were also found suffering from stab wounds. They were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Local news reports in New Orleans said one of the injured sisters had been treated and discharged, while the second sister remained in the hospital but was expected to recover. The condition of the surviving victims has brought some relief to family members, though the tragedy has left deep emotional scars.
According to police documents, detectives quickly identified Chukwuebuka Eweni, the deceased professor’s son, as the prime suspect. An arrest warrant was issued for him on one count of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder.
The New Orleans Police Department later announced that Eweni had been located in Jefferson Parish, a neighbouring area near New Orleans. He was taken into custody and transferred to an area facility for a medical evaluation.
“Chukwuebuka Eweni has been located in Jefferson Parish. He is currently in law enforcement custody while undergoing medical evaluation at an area facility,” the police said in an official statement.
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether he will undergo a psychiatric assessment, but the police noted that more details would be released as the investigation continues.
Family members described the violent attack as shocking and unexpected. According to relatives, the suspect had a history of mental illness but had never before shown violent behaviour. This revelation has raised questions about whether Eweni may have been experiencing a mental health crisis at the time of the incident.
Mental health issues within immigrant families, especially among young people struggling with cultural pressure, stress, and isolation in foreign countries, have gained more attention in recent years. Nigerian communities in the United States have occasionally raised concerns about the lack of accessible mental health support and the stigma associated with seeking help.
While some details about Eweni’s medical history remain private, family sources told local newspapers in New Orleans that they never imagined the situation could lead to such a tragic outcome.
The deceased, Professor Samuel Eweni, was well-known in academic circles in Louisiana. As a computer science professor at Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO), he had taught for several years and was described by colleagues as intelligent, dedicated, and passionate about helping students succeed in science and technology.
SUNO staff and students expressed shock upon hearing of his death. Some students said he was “patient and always willing to help,” while others described him as a mentor who guided young people pursuing careers in computing.
His death has left a deep void within the university community. SUNO is expected to release a formal statement after the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office confirms the identity of the deceased following an autopsy and next-of-kin notification.
The New Orleans Police Department confirmed that detectives are gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses to piece together what led to the sudden outburst of violence. The stabbing reportedly took place inside the family home, though authorities have not released details about the events leading up to the attack.
Police spokespersons stated that the coroner will determine the official cause of death after conducting an autopsy. They added that the investigation remains ongoing, and further updates will be made available once more information is known.
The incident has drawn attention to the rising cases of domestic violence in the United States. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, family-related murders and violent attacks have increased in recent years, with mental health challenges often playing a role.
Among immigrant communities, such incidents can be even more complex due to cultural pressures, lack of access to mental health care, and the difficulty of seeking help in a foreign system. Nigerian community organisations in cities like Houston, Atlanta, New York, and New Orleans have repeatedly urged families to seek professional support when dealing with mental health concerns.
This particular case has sparked discussions within Nigerian diaspora groups about the need for early intervention and greater awareness of mental health problems among young adults.
Members of the Nigerian community in Louisiana and across the United States have expressed sadness over the tragedy. Many said it was painful to witness a family lose its father and see a young man end up in police custody under such circumstances.
Online community forums and diaspora groups shared tributes to Professor Eweni, praising his contributions to education and technology. Some commented that the incident highlights the importance of paying attention to early signs of emotional or psychological distress.
For now, Eweni remains in law enforcement custody while undergoing medical evaluation. Once he is deemed medically stable, he is expected to face formal charges. Under U.S. law, second-degree murder carries a possible penalty of life imprisonment, while attempted second-degree murder can result in decades-long sentences.
