Tyrone Bridges

Case overview

Tyrone Bridges was killed during a shoot-out with the police on December 7, 1987.

Background

Tyrone Bridges was described by New Orleans police as a hoodlum whose offenses covered "everything but treason." He was a career criminal with 24 misdemeanor and felony arrests since his early teens. Bridges was facing trial on fresh charges of armed robbery. He was free on bail when officers stopped him for questioning on December 7, 1987, the day before his twenty-ninth birthday.

The offence

Bridges was connected with armed robbery and reaching for a stolen pistol during the encounter that led to his death. He was shot to death before he had a chance to fire.

Investigation

Ballistics tests performed upon the weapon linked Bridges with two local murders in the past eleven days.

Timeline

• November 27, 1987 — Lilly Russell, 50, was killed after Bridges and accomplice Jimmy Johnson deliberately rammed her car on the street.
• December 5, 1987 — Phyllis Bell, 51, was slain after Bridges assaulted her husband outside their home.
• December 7, 1987 — Officers stopped Bridges for questioning; Bridges reached for a stolen pistol and was shot to death during a shoot-out with the police.

Other details

Lilly Russell homicide (November 27)

Lilly Russell, 50, was killed after Bridges and accomplice Jimmy Johnson deliberately rammed her car on the street. As Russell stepped out to survey the damage, Bridges had drawn his pistol, demanding money, and shot the woman to death when she refused.

Phyllis Bell homicide (December 5)

Phyllis Bell, 51, was slain after Bridges assaulted her husband outside their home. When Bell came to investigate the sounds of struggle, she was shot and killed as Bridges fled the crime scene.

Disposition and accomplice

Bridges cleared both cases in death. Jimmy Johnson stood trial as an accessory in the Russell homicide.