5 People Shot at New Orleans Parade Ahead of Mardi Gras, 1 Fatally

5 People Shot at New Orleans Parade Ahead of Mardi Gras, 1 Fatally
Police officers collect evidence at the scene of a shooting that occurred during the Krewe of Bacchus parade in New Orleans, on Feb. 19, 2023. Chandan Khanna/AFP/Getty Images
Tom Ozimek
Updated:
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One person is dead and four others have been wounded in a shooting Sunday night along a Mardi Gras parade route in New Orleans, police said.

Officers from the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) were in the vicinity of the 1600 block of Terpsichore Street during the Krewe of Bacchus parade when they heard shots fired at around 9:30 p.m., the NOPD said in a statement.

“Upon arrival at the location, they discovered five victims suffering from gunshot wounds,” the NOPD said.

Police officers work at the scene of a shooting that occurred during the Krewe of Bacchus parade in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Feb. 19, 2023. (Chandan Khanna/AFP/Getty Images)
Police officers work at the scene of a shooting that occurred during the Krewe of Bacchus parade in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Feb. 19, 2023. Chandan Khanna/AFP/Getty Images

All of the shooting victims were taken to the hospital where one of them was later pronounced dead. The victims included three males and two females, including one juvenile.

Chief Deputy Superintendent Hans Ganthier told media at a press conference that the juvenile was in stable condition and one of the victims was in critical condition.

Ganthier said that a quick response by officers led to the suspect’s arrest.

“With the help of our partners, we were quickly able to apprehend the subject that we believe to be responsible for this,” he said.

Police also confiscated two weapons, he added.

“This is really not something we wanted to see,” Ganthier said. “We really wanted this to be a safe Mardi Gras.”

Police officers work at the scene of a shooting that occurred during the Krewe of Bacchus parade in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Feb. 19, 2023. (Chandan Khanna/AFP/Getty Images)
Police officers work at the scene of a shooting that occurred during the Krewe of Bacchus parade in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Feb. 19, 2023. Chandan Khanna/AFP/Getty Images

The police chief urged witnesses to come forward and provide law enforcement with more information about the shooting, including whether another suspect may have been involved.

He wouldn’t say if police suspect a second shooter, citing an ongoing investigation.

Asked by a reporter whether there’s any danger to the public, Ganthier said he believes there’s no threat and that he hopes for a safe event going forward.

Police officers collect evidence at the scene of a shooting that occurred during the Krewe of Bacchus parade in New Orleans, on Feb. 19, 2023. (Chandan Khanna/AFP/Getty Images)
Police officers collect evidence at the scene of a shooting that occurred during the Krewe of Bacchus parade in New Orleans, on Feb. 19, 2023. Chandan Khanna/AFP/Getty Images

An eyewitness told the outlet that at least a dozen shots were fired, sparking a frantic rush by people trying to flee for safety.

“I don’t want to see this happen again during Mardi Gras, you know small children and families. It’s unfortunate,” a witness, Andrew Crawford, told WWL-TV.

“You want to protect the ones you love. It is what it is. It sucks,” he added.

Footage from the scene shared on social media showed an officer directing parade-goers away from the area.

“This is all a crime scene, go in this direction,” the officer tells people, according to the video. “I apologize for any inconvenience. People are injured. Thank you.”

Another clip showed police cars with lights flashing and officers working the scene.

The Krewe of Bacchus parade has been an annual event in New Orleans on the Sunday before Fat Tuesday.

The carnival-style procession showcases large, elaborate floats and is one of the largest and most popular Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans, drawing large crowds.

Tom Ozimek
Tom Ozimek
Reporter
Tom Ozimek is a senior reporter for The Epoch Times. He has a broad background in journalism, deposit insurance, marketing and communications, and adult education.
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