Two people were murdered and ten others were injured in two shootings during a popular New Orleans second-line parade on Sunday, according to the New Orleans Police Department.
“There are two separate scenes here. There are two separate shooting events. “They’re 45 minutes apart,” Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick stated at a Sunday evening press conference.
Despite the presence of more police resources at the event, gunshots broke out at about 3:40 p.m. “There was a car involved…” “And shots were fired into the crowd,” Kirkpatrick explained.
Nine persons were injured and sent to hospitals. “All of those victims are alive,” she stated.
Police “know two weapons were used by the ballistics that are left on the scene,” Kirkpatrick added. There was no additional information offered regarding the guns.
“Approximately 45 minutes later, up on the bridge, we did have another outbreak of gunfire,” Mr. Kirkpatrick said. Three more persons were hit by gunfire, according to authorities.
“Because no cars were able to be on that bridge, we know that the shooting occurred within the crowd,” she informed us.
Two people were killed in the second shooting, and another “is in extreme critical condition,” Kirkpatrick added.
Police said it’s still unclear whether the shootings are linked because they happened 45 minutes apart.
“A tragic scene in the St. Roch neighborhood this evening,” Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry wrote on social media. “Sharon and I are praying for everyone involved, and we appreciate the first responders who came to the site. “The violence must stop.”
Attorney General Liz Murrill posted on social media, “I’m heartbroken to learn of this awful mass shooting in New Orleans this afternoon. I am praying for the victims and their families. This level of lawlessness will not be condoned. I hope the offenders are apprehended quickly and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
“We’re sure someone probably has video, film, something, and we would like them to call” New Orleans police or Crime Stoppers, Kirkpatrick urged.
She stated that police “have a history” with this second line and “added officers to this event, knowing that it had the potential for violence.”
Second-line parades are community-driven, informal processions that are frequently organized by social service and pleasure clubs, or as part of a larger public gathering such as a funeral or celebration. The word “second line” refers to the individuals who follow the main brass band procession, or “first line.”
“It’s a wonderful event … and we wanted to keep it a wonderful event,” according to her. Police say the event draws thousands of people.
