Neal, who was in her late 30s, was the daughter of the late
Raful Neal, internationally known Baton Rouge blues man, and
the brother of bluesman Kenny Neal. She was one of ten
siblings and several friends and family members confirmed
that Neal had three sons. Her style of music is a nice cross
between blues and pop and she had quickly gained a strong
following locally and abroad.

Ellis Carter, a construction worker, says he was working in
the salon's parking lot when he heard a gunshot and then he
saw a woman run out of the salon holding her side. Carter
said he saw a "tussle" in the salon and then he heard four or
five additional shots and people started running for cover.

Larry Neal, Neal's brother and band-leader, said his sister
had purchased a 25-seat tour bus with her name on it and she
was planning a European tour with her band. Larry said that
his sister was deep into her music and James, the shooter,
was holding her back and he couldn't deal with it.

Latacha Battley, a former dancer with Jackie Neal's band,
said Neal had broken up with her boyfriend almost three
months ago. Battley said that just three months ago, Neal
told her that James (the shooter) broke all her car windows
and threatened to kill her.

The scene was very emotional immediately following the
shooting as hundreds of Neal's family members and friends
gathered outside T'Nails and Hair Salon located at 4369
Florida Blvd, just west of Foster Drive where the shooting
took place.

Jackie Neal's tragedy marks the third person in the Neal
family to die in the past year. Raful Neal (Jackie's father)
died in September and his son, Ronnie Neal, died in April.