Two people were killed and ten others wounded in two separate shootings that occurred Sunday afternoon along a New Orleans parade route, The Associated Press reports, citing authorities.
Thousands were gathered for the annual Nine Times Social Aid & Pleasure Club parade in the city’s 9th Ward when the incidents took place. No arrests have been made, and police are investigating whether the shootings are connected.
The first shooting occurred shortly after 3:30 p.m. on an avenue in the St. Roch neighborhood. Officers responding to reports of gunfire found eight victims suffering from gunshot wounds. All eight were transported to area hospitals, though their conditions remain unknown. A ninth victim later arrived at a hospital in a private vehicle. The St. Roch neighborhood is located several blocks northeast of the French Quarter.
Aroud 45 minutes later, a second shooting was reported near the Almonaster Avenue Bridge, about half a mile north of the first incident. One person died at the scene, while another succumbed to their injuries at a hospital. A third victim, transported to a hospital in a private vehicle, is reported to be in stable condition.
New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick stated that detectives are working to determine if the two shootings are related, noting that the incidents involved “different kinds of approaches.” The shootings occurred during a “second line,” a celebratory procession following the main parade.
Organizer Oscar Brown told NOLA.com that thousands attended the Nine Times Social Aid & Pleasure Club event. Superintendent Kirkpatrick expressed a desire to maintain the event’s positive reputation.
This marks the second major shooting incident in the Southern United States in recent weeks. On November 10th, a homecoming weekend event at Tuskegee University in Alabama was marred by gunfire, resulting in one fatality and sixteen injuries, twelve of which were gunshot wounds.
