New Orleans police are investigating two shootings near a popular parade route Sunday afternoon that left two people dead and 10 injured.
The first shooting occurred in the 1800 block of Almonaster Street around 3:38 p.m., according to the police department.
Officers assigned to the Nine Times Second Line parade responded to a shooting in the area and found eight people shot to death.
All eight victims were taken to local hospitals by ambulance, and the ninth victim arrived at a local hospital by private vehicle.
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Two people were killed and 10 injured in two shootings during the Nine Times Second Line parade in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Sunday. (David Grunfeld/Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate, via AP)
About 45 minutes later, officers responded to another call of shots fired at the intersection of Almonaster Avenue and Florida Avenue. In the second incident, two people were found shot, one died at the scene and the other died after being transported to a hospital.
A third victim from the second shooting showed up at the hospital and was listed in stable condition as of Sunday night, police said.
Police said the parade was immediately canceled as part of the investigation.
New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said the shooting occurred during the Nine Times Second Line Parade, one of the city's largest and most popular parades. (David Grunfeld/Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate, via AP)
New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said at a press conference Sunday night that the Nine Times Second Line is one of the city's largest second lines, drawing thousands of spectators at any given time.
Kirkpatrick said all 66 officers in the Fifth District and about 30 police officers had a history with “this particular second line” and knew there was “potential for violence.” It said additional police officers have been assigned to respond to the incident.
“It's a great event, there's no question about that. We want it to continue to be a great event,” Kirkpatrick said.
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Police have not yet identified the suspect or determined a motive for the shooting. It is also not yet known whether the two shootings are related.
“The investigation is in its early stages and remains ongoing,” New Orleans police said in a news release.
Sunday's shootings near the Nine Times Second Line parade both occurred on Almonaster Street in New Orleans' Fifth Ward. (David Grunfeld/Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate, via AP)
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry was aware of the shooting and condemned the violence in a post on X on Sunday night.
“A tragedy that occurred tonight in the St. Roch neighborhood. Sharon and I pray for everyone involved and thank the first responders who arrived on the scene. The violence must end.”
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Anyone with information regarding either shooting is asked to contact the NOPD Homicide Unit at 504-658-5300 or Fifth District Detectives at 504-658-6050.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans at 504-822-1111.
