Police sort through New Orleans ‘chaos’

More than a day after 10 people were wounded when gunshots lit up a crowded tourist area of New Orleans, police Monday had announced no arrests, no motive and few details.

New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson said two people were critically injured. Surveillance video from the scene shows revelers scattering, fleeing and ducking for cover as shots rang early Sunday along Canal Street near the city’s French Quarter.

Don Yount told the Times-Picayune he was working as a security guard at Unique Grocery when he heard about 25 gunshots.

“It was chaos,” Yount said. “It was so many people running in so many directions.”

Ferguson has stressed that the investigation remains in its infancy. Here is what we know so far:

❚ A heavy police presence was in the area when the rampage began because the annual Bayou Classic football game between Grambling State University

and Southern University had been played hours earlier. The game historically draws a huge crowd to the city.

❚ The section of Canal Street near fabled Bourbon Street still was crowded with tourists at 3:20 a.m. when the shots were fired. Ferguson said officers were so close they thought they were being fired on. “Our officers ... were within feet when this incident occurred, but unfortunately there were so many people out there we were unable to determine who was firing these shots,” Ferguson said.

❚ Ferguson said one person was detained for questioning after the shooting, but added it was not clear what if any role the person had in the carnage. Police had no motive for the attack. Officers were interviewing witnesses and viewing surveillance footage and other video that might shed light on the case, Ferguson said.

❚ Hours after the shooting on Canal Street, two people were killed and two wounded in a shooting in another section of the city. Police had not connected the incidents, and also had made no arrests in that incident. They urged anyone with information to come forward.