() –– At least two people were killed and 10 others were injured in two shootings during a popular New Orleans parade this Sunday, according to New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick.
“There are two different scenes here. There are two different shootings. They are 45 minutes apart,” Kirkpatrick said during a news conference Sunday night.
Despite the additional police resources added, gunshots were heard around 3:40 p.m. ET. “Apparently a car was involved (…) and shots were fired into the crowd,” Kirkpatrick said.
Nine people were injured and taken to hospitals. “All of those victims are alive,” he said.
Police “know that two weapons were used based on ballistic evidence left at the scene,” Kirkpatrick said. No additional information was provided regarding the firearms.
“About 45 minutes later, on the bridge, there was another shooting,” Kirkpatrick said. According to police, three other people were injured by gunfire.
“Since there were no vehicles on the bridge, we know that the shooting occurred in the crowd,” he explained.
The superintendent said New Orleans police “have a history” with these groups and “added officers to this event, knowing it had the potential for violence.”
Police say it is still unclear if the shootings are related to each other because they occurred 45 minutes apart.
“We are sure that someone probably recorded something on video and we would like them to call the New Orleans Police Department or Crime Stoppers,” Kirkpatrick urged.
Second line parades are informal, community-driven processions, often organized by social care and leisure clubs, or as part of a larger public gathering, such as a funeral or celebration. The term “second line” refers to the people who follow the main procession of the marching band, the “first line.”
“It is a wonderful event (…) and we wanted it to continue to be a wonderful event,” he said. The event attracts thousands of people, according to police.
–– ‘s Leah Thomeer contributed to this report.
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