TACOMA, Wash. — The owner of a popular bagel shop in Tacoma was killed in New Orleans, Louisiana earlier this month.
Jacob Carter, 32, was killed Jan. 5 while on vacation with his husband, Daniel Blagovich, according to a Jan. 7 social media post from Howdy Bagel.
Carter was found shot near Bourbon Street and Kerlerec Street in the Marigny neighborhood at about 1:30 a.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Orleans Parish Coroner's Office identified Carter as the victim.
Howdy Bagel, which Carter and Blagovich started together, said Carter’s loss is “immeasurable.”
“If you knew Jake, you know he was someone who exuded kindness, warmth, and genuine care to everyone he met,” the post reads. “Jake was one of the brightest spots in the lives of everyone he loved.”
Carter and Blagovich founded Howdy Bagel during the pandemic after they were laid off from their jobs. The couple was brought together by food and cooking and wanted to give back to the city, according to Howdy Bagel’s website. The bagel company started as a door-to-door service and expanded into farmers markets, pop-ups and subscriptions.
Howdy Bagel opened its storefront on South Tacoma Way in May 2023. The store's popularity exploded, and customers frequently reported hour-long wait times to get their hands on Carter's and Blagovich's creations.
Carter, a Texan, told KING 5 Evening in July that "Howdy" has special meaning.
"It kind of invokes this sense of warmth and bringing people together, bringing people in and I think we are trying to foster a place of inclusiveness to everyone," Carter said.
The business is temporarily closed while the community grieves. An online fundraiser was launched to cover operating expenses and employee wages during the closure. As of Jan. 8 at 9 a.m., more than 2,400 people had donated, raising over $145,000.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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