Brandon Franklin of the T.B.C. Brass Band was shot and killed Sunday night. He was twenty-two years old. Franklin played saxophone in TBC, who are well known for their frequent street shows at the corner of Bourbon St. and Canal St. They had just performed at both Jazz Fest and French Quarter Fest, and are well regarded as one of several rising stars in a new generation of brass bands.

Franklin also acted as Assistant Band Director at O. Perry Walker High School, a role in which he was apparently well loved by the student band members for whom he acted as a strong role model and mentor.

Although the details of his murder are still slightly unclear, what’s known so far paints a tragic picture. Franklin was visiting at the house of his ex-girlfriend, who had been living in the home with her boyfriend Ronald Simms. After an argument earlier in the day, Simms returned to the house, resulting in a dispute with Franklin. Simms shot the young musician several times with a handgun before leaving the scene, only to turn himself in to the police soon afterwards.

A Facebook page has been set up for those who wish to leave their memories and condolences.