Jacob Carter: Washington Bagel shop owner dies in partner’s arms after getting shot while vacationing in New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS, LOUSIANA: Jacob Carter, the 'beloved' co-owner of Howdy Bagel in Tacoma, Washington, was fatally shot while on a trip to New Orleans with his husband and business partner, Daniel Blagovich.

The couple was visiting the city for a friend’s wedding when the tragedy occurred. The shooting death that happened on January 5, has remained unresolved.

Howdy Bagel mourns the loss of Jacob Carter

Carter and Blagovich started Howdy Bagel as a successful farmers market operation in 2021 before opening the store on South Tacoma Way in June, a popular eatery in South Tacoma Way.

Howdy Bagel announced Carter’s death on its Instagram page, saying that he was “someone who exuded kindness, warmth, and genuine care to everyone he met.”

The post also asked the community to support Blagovich and the staff in two ways which is by taking care of one another, and by donating to a GoFundMe page to help cover the shop’s costs and wages.

Jacob Carter's death remains unsolved

According to the News Tribune, Carter was shot at about 1.30 am on near Bourbon and Kerlerec streets in the Marigny neighborhood of New Orleans.

Police said the shooter fled the scene and no arrests have been made so far.

Blagovich told the news outlet that Carter died "in my arms" and that he was “one of the brightest spots in the lives of everyone he loved.”

Tributes pour in for Jacob Carter

The eatery, in an announcement, added, "Daniel and Jacob have been continually blown away and grateful for the ways that this community has rallied together to support Howdy Bagel."

"We know that in this difficult season, you will all continue to show up with love and support,” it added.

 Olympia Coffee, where Carter had worked part-time, said it was “heartbroken” to learn of his death, and that he was “a close friend to so many in our community.”

Carter, who was originally from Texas, and Blagovich, who grew up in West Seattle, had both lost their jobs during the pandemic and decided to pursue their passion for baking.

Carter told KING 5 in July that the name Howdy “kind of invokes this sense of warmth and bringing people together” and that they wanted to create a place that was “welcoming to everyone.”

He also said that there was “a lot of love that goes into each of these products.”

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call CrimeStoppers at (504) 822-1111 or police at (504) 658-5300.