New Orleans police think Breon Stewart and Lionel Delpit III were targeted by killers

A pregnant woman and her boyfriend who were expecting their baby in less than two weeks but were gunned down in their car earlier this week were likely targeted by their killers, police said.

Breon Stewart, 23, and Lionel Delpit III, 25, were shot multiple times outside their apartment in the Wind Run complex in New Orleans the night of December 16 - their child was due on December 29.

Police said they don't believe the shooting was random. 

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Breon Stewart, 23 (right), and Lionel Delpit III, 25 (left), were shot multiple times and died on Wednesday 

Breon Stewart, 23 (right), and Lionel Delpit III, 25 (left), were shot multiple times and died on Wednesday 

They were killed on the night of December 16 and their unborn child, a son, was due on December 29

They were killed on the night of December 16 and their unborn child, a son, was due on December 29

Stewart was valedictorian of Carver High School and was about to graduate college with a nursing degree 

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Delpit worked two jobs and was the little chief of the Black Feather Mardi Gras Indian tribe, which his father and other family members started in the early 1990s.  

Their son was named Lionel Delpit IV after his dad

Their son was named Lionel Delpit IV after his dad

Stewart was valedictorian of Carver High School and was about to graduate with a nursing degree after attending college at Delgado, according to Fox 8 Live

Cmdr Doug Eckert, head of the New Orleans Police Department's criminal investigations division, said it appeared the couple was targeted but detectives are not sure if there were multiple shooters.

Eckert said detectives were following up on several leads, the New Orleans Advocate reported. 

He said: 'We feel confident that this wasn't a random act. 

'It's a hideous crime. 

'There's no good time for a homicide, there's no good time for a murder, but this, right before the holidays, just makes it that much worse.'

Police classified the deaths as a double homicide, and are waiting for an autopsy report before deciding whether to add another charge in connection with the death of the couple's unborn son.

'It was senseless,' Kioke Johnson, a cousin of Stewart, told NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune.

Johnson said she can't imagine why someone would want to kill her cousin.

Family and friends gathered the day after the shooting to honor the slain couple (pictured) on Thursday

Family and friends gathered the day after the shooting to honor the slain couple (pictured) on Thursday

In addition to her twin sister Britnee, Stewart also leaves behind their mother Nicole (seen above) 

In addition to her twin sister Britnee, Stewart also leaves behind their mother Nicole (seen above) 

Stewart's twin sister Britnee (left) gave birth to a daughter last week and the whole family was excited 

Stewart's twin sister Britnee (left) gave birth to a daughter last week and the whole family was excited 

'We just want the community to come together if they know anything,' she said. 

'We just want justice.' 

Stewart's twin sister gave birth to a daughter last week, and Johnson said the whole family had been awaiting the latest addition to the family with excitement. 

In addition to her twin sister Britnee, Stewart also leaves behind their mother Nicole.

Family and friends gathered the day after the shooting to honor the slain couple on Thursday and tributes to Stewart, Delpit and their unborn son also poured in on social media. 

Keenan Lewis, cornerback with the New Orleans Saints and Delpit's brother-in-law, also mourned Thursday  Keenan Lewis

Keenan Lewis, cornerback with the New Orleans Saints and Delpit's brother-in-law, also mourned Thursday 

Stewart and Delpit were shot outside their New Orleans apartment in the Wind Run complex (pictured)

Stewart and Delpit were shot outside their New Orleans apartment in the Wind Run complex (pictured)

Corey Rayford said conversations with his cousin Delpit were dominated by the impending birth of his son, who was to be named after Lionel Delpit IV after his dad. 

'He was so excited about being a dad,' Rayford said. 'All he talked about was the baby.'

Rayford said his cousin was being groomed to become the tribe's chief after his father's death in 2011.

'He never had a chance to put on a suit and go out as active chief,' said tribe member Stafford Agee.

Keenan Lewis, cornerback with the New Orleans Saints and Delpit's brother-in-law, was among family and friends of the victims who gathered Thursday to comfort each other.

WVUE-TV quoted Lewis as saying that Delpit was 'all about his family, you know'.

'Gave his life to God. Anybody who ever knew him knew he always kept a smile on his face.'

A GoFundMe account has been created to help pay for the funeral costs.  

Police are urging anyone with information to call Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111.

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