USA TODAY International Edition
10 wounded in ‘ senseless’ New Orleans shooting rampage
A shooting rampage near the famed French Quarter of New Orleans early Sunday left 10 people wounded, revelers from an annual football game scrambling for cover and police in pursuit of at least one “cowardly” gunman.
New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Shaun Ferguson said the shooting erupted on Canal Street near Bourbon Street, an area crowded with tourists and police officers – even at 3: 20 a. m. Two of the injured were hospitalized in critical condition. No officers were among the wounded, he said.
One person was detained near the scene, but Ferguson said he did not yet know what role, if any, the person had in the shooting. No arrests had been made.
“What happened in our city overnight was a cowardly and senseless act that we cannot and will not tolerate,” Ferguson said. “While this investigation is in the very beginning stages, one thing is certain – we will not stop until we identify and arrest those responsible.”
Ferguson said a heavy police presence was in the area because the annual Bayou Classic football game between Grambling State University and Southern University was Saturday. The game historically draws a huge crowd to the city.
Three years ago, one person was killed and nine others injured in a shooting spree on Bourbon Street hours after the game.
On Sunday, “some individuals chose to do the wrong thing at the wrong time,” Ferguson said. Police initially said 10 people were wounded, raised the number to 11 and then dropped it back to 10. Few other details were released, however.
“We had officers right there, within that very block, that actually thought they were being fired on,” Ferguson said. “Our officers ... were within feet when this incident occurred, but unfortunately there we so many people out there we were unable to determine who was firing these shots.”
The motive for the shooting had not been determined, Ferguson said.