Teen arrested in New Orleans Costco carjacking confesses to cops of killing 12-year-old boy, cops say

An 18-year-old man was arrested for a carjacking outside Costco in New Orleans and after being arrested, police say, he confessed to the killing of a 12-year-old boy.

Around 10 a.m. on Jan. 3, police said a worker in New Orleans and a truck driver found 12-year-old Derrick Cash lying on the ground, gasping for air after being shot.

According to authorities, Cash was found near a black Jeep Cherokee, which was reported stolen from a valet at the Pontchartrain Hotel in New Orleans. Officials did not know whether Cash was involved in stealing the car or if he was aware it was stolen.

Investigators seized a cellphone belonging to 18-year-old Tyrese Harris and found evidence that he knew about the boy’s killing, The Advocate reported.

On Feb. 6, police announced that Harris was arrested for his role in the Feb. 1 carjacking at a Costco gas station that left realtor Kelleye Rhein with a fractured skull.

While police were interrogating Harris about the carjacking, he admitted to detectives that he used a .45-caliber pistol to help another man shoot Cash. He then tried to trade the pistol away, officials said.

Police said they found evidence on Harris’ phone of him carrying a .45-caliber pistol around the time Cash was shot dead.

Harris now faces a second-degree murder charge in connection to the shooting death of Cash, police said.

Relatives of Cash spoke with The Advocate and said he was talkative and energetic. Lexis Cash said, “You could always count on Derrick to have a smile, ear-to-ear.” He loved basketball and the New Orleans Pelicans, as Zion Williamson was his favorite player, family said.