Ian Kersting, an assistant district attorney in New Orleans, commits suicide inside the district attorney’s office

The assistant district attorney committed suicide over the weekend, causing yet another tragic event in New Orleans.

The ADA Ian Kersting committed suicide in the district attorney’s office on Saturday night. Around 9 p.m., Kersting was discovered in the 6100 block of South White Street, with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to New Orleans police. Kersting was declared deceased when emergency medical personnel arrived on the site.

The Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office released a statement expressing their sorrow over the death.

“A horrible tragedy struck the Orleans Parish DA’s Office family on Saturday night. We offer our sympathies and sympathy to the family of Assistant District Attorney Ian Kersting, who was a cherished colleague in our office. We encourage the media to respect the privacy of those affected, and it’s critical that we support one another at this time,” the message stated.

As a member of the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative section, Kersting played a crucial role in resolving long-standing problems with the way sex offenses are handled in the legal system. Attorney General Liz Murrill posted condolences online after learning of his passing.

I’m sending up prayers for him, his family, and the entire staff of @orleansparishda. Please contact the suicide hotline at 988 if you are experiencing despair, loss, or bereavement and are considering suicide, Murril tweeted.

Kersting’s passing strikes the already distraught city a few days after New Orleans was ravaged in the early hours of the new year by what is being described as a terrorist attack. At least 30 people were injured and 14 people were killed after 42-year-old Shamsud Din Jabbar crashed a vehicle through a crowd on Bourbon Street, the city’s main entertainment district.