At least two dead, three wounded in New Orleans shooting
Feb 13, 2018, 9:33 PM | Updated: 9:57 pm
Onlookers watch as police investigate the scene of a Mardi Gras day shooting in the lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
At least two people are dead after several people were shot in New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward on Tuesday night.
According to The Times-Picayune, a local newspaper, five people total were shot. One person died on the scene and another died on the way to the hospital.
The body of the victim who died at the scene could be seen in the back of a red Nissan sedan at the La Express gas station about 2 miles (3.22 kilometers) from where revelers gathered for Fat Tuesday celebrations.
Another victim was transported to the hospital by emergency services and died there.
Three other victims were transported to the hospital in private vehicles.
The names and ages of the victims were not released.
Police spokeswoman Ambria Washington said they were shot at a gas station in the 5100 block of St. Claude Avenue in the Lower 9th Ward.
The victims were in a car on a nearby street when multiple suspects opened fire on them, Washington said. The victims then drove to the gas station.
It is unclear if there was a suspect in custody. Washington said authorities did not have a motive at this time.
The publication said a red Nissan Altima parked at the store had “shattered windows, more than a dozen bullet holes in the driver’s door and flat front tires.”
Police cars with lights flashing were arrayed around the gas station where the shooting occurred and yellow police tape had been strung up to keep bystanders away.
Dozens of people gathered on the median, looking on as the police conducted their investigation.
Many of the bystanders wore outfits in Mardi Gras colors of yellow, purple and green in a reminder that the festive holiday comes to a close Tuesday evening.
The shooting was at least the third of the day in that area.
According to FOX8, two separate shootings occurred earlier Tuesday near a parade route for Mardi Gras. Those shootings resulted in the injuries of two adult males and one juvenile male.
The third shooting occurred about five miles from Bourbon Street, which is well-frequented during the Mardi Gras holiday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
