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New Orleans Mother's Day shooting: 18 injured New Orleans Mother's Day shooting: 19 injured
(about 4 hours later)
Gunmen opened fire on dozens of people marching in a Mother's Day neighbourhood parade in New Orleans on Sunday, wounding at least 18, including two children. Gunmen opened fire on dozens of people marching in a Mother's Day neighbourhood parade in New Orleans on Sunday, wounding at least 19, including two children, police said.
Police said that many of the victims were grazed and most of the wounds weren't life-threatening. No deaths were reported. FBI spokeswoman Mary Beth Romig said federal investigators had no indication that the shooting was an act of terrorism. "It's strictly an act of street violence in New Orleans," she said. The southern city has one of the highest violent crime rates in the U.S. The shootings took place less than two miles (3km) from the heart of the French Quarter.
FBI spokeswoman Mary Beth Romig said federal investigators have no indication that the shooting was an act of terrorism. Police said many of the victims were grazed and most of the wounds were not life-threatening.
"It's strictly an act of street violence in New Orleans," she said. The southern city has one of the highest violent crime rates in the US.
A news release said the wounded included two 10-year-olds. It also said two people were in surgery.A news release said the wounded included two 10-year-olds. It also said two people were in surgery.
As many as 400 people joined in the procession that stretched for about 3 blocks in what's known as a second-line parade, a loose procession in which people dance down the street, often following behind a brass band. They can be impromptu or planned and are sometimes described as moving block parties.
Officers were interspersed with the marchers, which is routine for such events. Only about half the participants were in the immediate vicinity of the shooting, Serpas said.
Police saw three suspects running from the scene. No arrests had been made as of late afternoon.Police saw three suspects running from the scene. No arrests had been made as of late afternoon.
A social club called The Original Big 7 organised Sunday's event. The group was founded in 1996 at a housing project, according to its MySpace page. As many as 400 people joined what is known as a second-line parade, a loose procession in which people dance down the street, often following a brass band. They can be impromptu or planned.
The neighbourhood where the shooting happened was a mix of low-income and middle-class houses, some boarded up. As of last year, the neighbourhood's population was about 60% of its level before Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005. Outside the hospital, Leonard Temple had tears in his eyes as he talked about a friend who was shot three times. Temple was told the man was hit while trying to push his own daughter out of the way.
Police vowed to make swift arrests. "People were just hanging out. We were just chilling. And this happened. Bad things always happen to good people," said Temple, who was at the parade but didn't see the shootings.
"We'll get them. We have good resources in this neighbourhood," Serpas said. Shootings at parades and neighbourhood celebrations have become more common in recent years as the city has struggled with street crime. Police say gang turf wars often are the root cause.
The neighborhood where the shooting happened was a mix of low-income and middle-class row houses, some boarded up. As of 2012 the neighborhood's population was about 60% of its level before hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005.
Police vowed to make swift arrests. "We'll get them. We have good resources in this neighbourhood," Serpas said.
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