A 17-year-old boy died this weekend after falling through a stairwell in the abandoned Plaza Tower in Downtown New Orleans. The teenager entered the 45-floor building with friends on the night of August 15.
According to a New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) log, the group had been consuming alcohol, and the victim fell while attempting to descend the stairs. NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick stated that the teens entered the fenced-off skyscraper, climbed to a higher floor, and used an interior staircase that lacked safety railings. Kirkpatrick noted that the specific floor from which the victim fell is still being determined as the facts are fluid. She also indicated that trespassing charges would be addressed later, emphasizing that all the individuals involved are traumatized.
Emergency services responded to a 911 call from inside the building around 12:04 a.m. on Saturday. They found the teenager deceased. One friend with the group sustained deep lacerations to his arm and wrist.
Deputy Mayor Michael Harrison described the incident as tragic and reiterated that no one, regardless of age, should enter boarded-up, abandoned buildings, especially those that are secured. Harrison acknowledged the Plaza Tower's history of issues, noting it has been abandoned since before Hurricane Katrina in 2005. He stated that securing the building is the responsibility of the owners and that it is "very unsafe."
Kirkpatrick mentioned it was her understanding that the building's owners provide on-site security, but could not confirm if security was present at the time of the incident.
Lincoln Area Capital reportedly signed an agreement in July 2025 to purchase the building, with plans to convert it into senior housing, but has not yet closed financing. The Plaquemines Parish School District released a statement expressing sorrow over the loss of one of its students and announced that counselors would be available to support the school community.