Five people, including a child, were shot dead when a gunman opened fire during the Krewe of Bacchus parade in New Orleans on Sunday – two days before hundreds of revelers descended on the city to celebrate Tuesday Bold.
Gunshots rang out on Terpsichore Street around 9:30 p.m. as the parade was underway, New Orleans Police Department Chief Deputy Hans Ganthier told reporters in a taped press conference. by WDSU.
Three men, a woman and a young girl were each hit by bullets. All five were rushed to local hospitals. The girl was listed in stable condition on Sunday evening, Ganthier said.
One of the victims is in critical condition.
“It’s really not something we wanted to see,” Ganthier said. “We really wanted it to be a safe Mardi Gras.”
Police took a suspect into custody shortly after and recovered two firearms from the scene, according to the chief.
“We were able to quickly apprehend the suspect who we believe is responsible for this,” Ganthier said.
Police are investigating whether there was a second shooter at the scene and have encouraged any witnesses to call their Crime Stoppers line.
A witness told WWL-TV they heard at least a dozen gunshots ring out, sending panic through the crowd of parade-goers as they tried to flee the gunfire.
He said police had broken up several skirmishes in the same area before the shooting.
The Krewe of Bacchus Parade has been held annually on the Sunday before Shrove Tuesday in New Orleans since the 1960s. The carnival-style procession features large, colorful floats and is led by a national celebrity who replaces the king of the parade.
New York Post
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