Leaders call for public assistance after shootings kill 2 people and wound 11 others

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE/Gray News) – New Orleans police and city council are calling on the community to support the investigation after two shootings left two people dead and 11 injured.

The shooting occurred on Sunday during the Nine Times Social Aid and Pleasure Club’s second line parade. The event, also known as the “9th Ward Celebration,” drew thousands of people to the Desire and Florida neighborhoods.

A total of two people were killed and 11 injured as violence erupted twice on the route within an hour.

The first shooting occurred around 3:38 p.m. in the 1800 block of Almonaster Avenue, injuring ten people.

Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick of the New Orleans Police Department said two weapons were fired at the scene, but there were no fatalities in the first incident.

NOPD investigating two shootings in St. Roch on Sunday afternoon (November 17), which resulted in the deaths of 10... — NOPD investigating two shootings in St. Roch on Sunday afternoon (November 17), as a result of which 10 people were injured and two died.(WVUE)

About 45 minutes later, as the parade crossed the Almonaster Bridge, another shooting broke out. Three people were hit by gunfire, two were pronounced dead and the third was injured, but her condition is stable.

The deceased victims, who are related, were identified by a family member as 19-year-old Malachi Jackson and 21-year-old Rasean Carter. The third person was only identified as a 34-year-old man.

Authorities say the victims in the first shooting were both men and women ranging in age from 20 to 71.

Kirkpatrick explained that no cars were allowed on the bridge, meaning the shooting occurred in a crowd. In a separate incident, a woman was injured by a vehicle eating donuts in a nearby parking lot.

City Council members Eugene Green and Oliver Thomas joined Kirkpatrick at Monday’s news conference in saying the shootings do not reflect the culture of New Orleans’ beloved second-line tradition.

Councilor Green says he was present and noted that the second round usually goes off without incident. He noted that Nine Times has an otherwise clean record of organizing safe events.

“It’s a sad day. (Second line) are part of the culture. It’s part of my district,” he said. “Sometimes there are people who are so focused on violence, people who want to vent their aggression, people who hate themselves, people who hate other people, that they will do what they have to do, no matter what is around them. . We’ve seen it in other shootings and other killings, but also in the way people sometimes treat other people.”

Councilor Oliver Thomas, who previously took part in the march with Nine Times, says his daughter asked him to go with her this year but he was out of town. He says he is disappointed with those who “harm” the city’s traditions.

“It’s painful to see something like this, especially when you know this club and this tradition,” Thomas said.

Thomas also praised NOPD’s work to reduce crime, but emphasized the need for community support in ongoing investigations.

“We cannot celebrate the NOPD and the efforts and strategies they are making to reduce crime and then question their ability to solve problems,” he said.

Pastor Jacques Williams, who works on anti-violence at NOPD, touched on the importance of community cooperation in combating violence.

“We have a saying in the 9th Ward: ‘We’re Niners and we don’t mind dying,’ but we don’t mind dying,” he said.

Despite NOPD’s increased presence at the event, no arrests were made and officials are asking for the public’s help in solving the case.

Kirkpatrick said extra police were on the second line because of previous incidents of violence at similar events. NOPD has not yet determined whether the two shootings are related.

Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans has announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in any of the shooting cases. Anonymous tips can be reported by calling (504) 822-1111.

Despite the high-profile nature of the incident, CEO Darlene Custanza says Crimestoppers has not received many tips and encourages anyone with information or video evidence from the scene to come forward.

“We’re sure someone probably has video or film or something and we’d like them to call,” Kirkpatrick said.

Governor Jeff Landry, Attorney General Liz Murrill and Congressman Troy Carter issued statements condemning the violence.

Landry called the shooting “tragic,” prayed for those involved and thanked first responders. “Violence must end,” he wrote in X.

Murrill stressed that “this type of lawlessness will not be tolerated” and urged swift justice.

Carter said the shootings were disturbing. “Gun violence touches every part of our community, and it pains me to see it cause such destruction in moments meant to bring joy,” he wrote.