5 bystanders injured in police shootout
NEW ORLEANS — Five people waiting at a downtown New Orleans bus stop were wounded by gunfire during a police shootout with an armed robbery suspect, authorities said.
The shootout that injured five bystanders happened Sunday night. Officials said the robbery suspect was killed during the exchange of gunfire between the suspect and officers with the New Orleans Police Department and the Louisiana State Police, which stretched over two city blocks.
Police said officers investigating two armed robberies that happened last week confronted a man considered to be a person of interest in the crimes, according to local news reports. Police said the man, whom they haven’t identified, fired a gun at officers as they approached.
New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Shaun Ferguson said at a news briefing that it was too early to tell who fired the bullets that hit the bystanders at the bus stop.
Of the five who were wounded, three had been released from the hospital by Monday afternoon while two others remained hospitalized, according to police spokesman Andy Cunningham. He said none of the injuries were considered life-threatening. Officials haven’t released the victims’ names. A New Orleans police officer also suffered injuries when his vehicle flipped as he attempted to reach the scene.