Two separate mass shootings left two individuals dead and 11 others injured on Sunday afternoon in New Orleans. The mass shootings took place near a second line parade in the city and occurred within the same hour.
In a Sunday press release, the New Orleans Police Department confirmed that officials were investigating two shooting incidents that took place in the city’s Fifth District near a second line parade.
While law enforcement officials initially announced that two individuals had been killed and 10 individuals had been wounded in the two shootings, New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick provided an update during a Monday morning press conference, confirming that 11 individuals had been wounded in Sunday’s two shooting incidents.
According to WDSU, the New Orleans Police Department told reporters that the first shooting incident took place at roughly 3:40 p.m. on Sunday in the 1800 block of Almonaster Avenue in St. Roch. Kirkpatrick explained that an individual fired a gun from a car into a crowd of people, leaving 10 wounded. The victims were all transported to a local hospital for medical care.
Police officials said the second shooting incident took place roughly 45 minutes later at the intersection of Almonaster Avenue and Florida Avenue. First responders discovered two injured victims at the scene of the second shooting. According to WDSU, a third victim from the second shooting incident reportedly was also treated at a local hospital and was in stable condition.
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Kirkpatrick explained that while no arrests have yet been made in the aftermath of Sunday’s mass shootings, law enforcement authorities are investigating the two incidents and discovered that at least two different guns were used in the attacks. Law enforcement officials have not confirmed whether the two shootings were connected.
Kirkpatrick told reporters that roughly 100 officers were deployed to the scene of the second line parade, which was attended by thousands of spectators. She acknowledged that “the tragedy still occurred” despite the heavy presence of law enforcement officials.
According to WDSU, New Orleans Councilman Eugene Green, who attended Sunday’s parade, said, “The New Orleans Police Department was well-represented before the second line, during and even following the second line and along the parade route.”
The New Orleans Police Department confirmed that the parade was immediately shut down following the two shooting incidents on Sunday.
WDSU reported that Kirkpatrick explained that second line parades are part of the culture in New Orleans “and will continue to be so.” However, she added, “We have got to work together with the community to prevent any potential for violence.”
