New Orleans

Shooting in New Orleans Leave 3 Dead, 7 Injured; Gunmen Flee

One injured person was in surgery in critical condition, and the other six were in various conditions but not considered life-threatening

What to Know

  • Police said two gunmen opened fire on a crowd in New Orleans Saturday night, leaving three dead and seven injured
  • The gunmen, believed to be dressed in hoods, fled the scene, police said
  • One injured victim is in critical condition, and the others are in various conditions but considered non-life-threatening

Two gunmen are on the loose after a shooting outside a New Orleans strip mall Saturday evening left three people dead and seven others injured, police said.

Two people, believed to be wearing hooded sweatshirts, approached a crowd standing outside a business on Clairborne Avenue, about three miles from the city's French Quarter, authorities said. One armed with a rifle and one armed with a handgun, they opened fire indiscriminately, striking 10 people from behind.

Police believe one gunman took time to stand over a victim and fire off multiple shots before fleeing the scene with the other suspect. Authorities said the suspect's current locations are unknown.

New Orleans Police chief Michael S. Harrison called the shooting "personal."

"Whoever did this, you should know that ... we're coming for you," Harrison told reporters.

Three people — two men and one woman — were pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The injured victims — five men and two women — were taken to local hospitals. One was in surgery in critical condition, and the other six were in various conditions but not considered life-threatening.

Harrison spoke with family members and friends at the scene of the "volatile and tense situation." He called on people to come forward and help police find the killers and also asked people not to take matters into their own hands.

"This was an extremely tragic incident. A lot of people were out here tonight. A lot of people, we know, saw what happened, heard what happened. And we need more than anything for people to come forward to help the NOPD right now solve this case," Harrison said.

He said police do not know whether it was gang-related.

Lawrence Russo was buying a scratch-off ticket at nearby gas station when he heard what he at first thought were firecrackers before he realized they were gunshots. He told NOLA.com/The Times-Picayunethat he heard a total of 13 to 16 shots fired.

"They never stop killing each other," he said, shaking his head as he spoke.

Near the scene of the shooting, beyond the police tape, people could be seen crying and hugging one another in comfort.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell said in a statement: "There is no place in New Orleans for this kind of violence. I speak for everyone in our City when I say we are disgusted, we are infuriated, & we have had more than enough. Three more lives — gone. It has to end. It's unacceptable anywhere."

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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