On Sunday morning, New Orleans’ French Quarter was the location of a mass shooting that killed one and injured nine. The two women and eight men shot were between the ages 20 and 37, the New Orleans Police Department said in a recent statement.
According to CNN, the shooting took place during the Bayou Classic Weekend, a four day event that consists of a parade and the Grambling State/Southern University football game. (However, there is no proof that the event itself or the thousands visiting the city ushered in the violence.) There were 30 police officers on the scene as the city was prepared for the influx of tourists visiting during the Thanksgiving holiday.
The police received a call just before 1:30 a.m. reporting shots in the popular tourist area of Bourbon Street, which is close to the Superdome where the game had ended six hours prior.
“It’s totally unacceptable … the violence just continues to spin out of control, with people brandishing weapons whenever they think they can,” Mayor Mitch Landrieu told reporters. “It’s just a tragic end to what was otherwise a beautiful weekend.”
It’s unknown what prompted the shooting, but police continue to gather evidence and interview witnesses. In the meantime, they have arrested two men for illegal possession of weapons. One of the suspects was identified as a victim in the shooting, police said, and was being treated for injuries, CNN noted.
Landrieu stressed that law enforcement would pursue the shooters “very, very aggressively,” says Time.
This is a developing story and we will provide updates when they are made available.
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