Move FM Global News

LOUISIANA, U.S. – In an incident that has sent shockwaves across New Orleans, two gunmen are said to have opened fire in a street packed with shoppers on Saturday night, killing three people.

According to City police spokesman Aaron Looney, the shooting took place on the 3400 block of Claiborne Avenue, about five kilometres from the French Quarter around 8.30pm local time.

Looney further noted that two men wearing hoods and armed with a long rifle and handgun shot indiscriminately at the crowd outside a business on South Claiborne Avenue.

Police further revealed that three victims, including two men and a woman, died at the scene.

Further, seven people, including five men and two women, were said to have suffered injuries and were rushed to hospitals for treatment. 

Officials said that one person is in a critical condition. 

Meanwhile, Michael Harrison, the city’s police chief told reporters, “It’s an extremely tragic incident,” and offered more details of the shooting. 

Harrison said that the suspects approached the victims from behind and fired multiple rounds “indiscriminately.”

Commenting on the incident, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said in a statement that authorities will focus, “every resource necessary to ending this horror and seeing justice done.”

Cantrell added, “There is no place in New Orleans for this kind of violence. I speak for everyone in our city when I say we are disgusted, we are infuriated, and we have had more than enough. Three more lives – gone. It has to end.”

Adding, “This happened near my neighbourhood, on the edge of Broadmoor. It’s unacceptable anywhere.“

According to some local reports, the attack is believed to be ‘gang related’ but no official confirmation on this has come from the city police.

Announcing a massive manhunt for the two suspects, police have urged witnesses and anyone else who was in the area at the time of the incident to share any information which will help in the probe.

Harrison urged residents to trust the police and share information about the shooting.

Adding, “This was a large crowd and we know that people saw something, heard something. We need them to know that they can trust us and come to us. We need people to help us hold the gunmen accountable.”