Violence Mars Mardi Gras Celebration In New Orleans

Three shootings in News Orleans left three people dead, and five others injured as people were celebrating Mardi Gras on Tuesday, February 13th. 

The first shooting happened just after 3 pm local time near the Fat Tuesday parade route. According to Fox 8, a fight broke out between revelers that lead to shots being fired. A juvenile was shot in the leg and is in stable condition. Police have not arrested the suspect but have released his photo to the public. 

Around 4:30 pm, another fight broke out in the crowd that resulted in a fatal shooting. Police say they have identified the shooter and there is an arrest warrant out for him. 

We have identified the perpetrator and now have arrest warrant for that person who was actually a known acquaintance with the victim at that parade," said NOPD Chief Michael Harrison. "An argument started. It got fatal. That subject began firing and shot the person. But we have an arrest warrant for his arrest so officers and detectives move really quickly. All of these things happen right there in the presence of our police officers."

The third shooting happened later in the night near a house party about two miles from the parade route. According to The Times-Picayune, an assailant opened fire on a Red Nissan Altima with five people inside. The driver managed to drive to a nearby gas station. Police say two people in the car died, while the other three were taken to the hospital. 

Witnesses claim they heard hundreds of gunshots and said it felt like they were in a war zone. 

Another man who also said he lives a few blocks away described hearing "hundreds" of gunshots ring out around 8:30 p.m. "It sounded like we were in Iraq or something.

Photo: Getty Images


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