New Orleans Shooting Injures At Least 17 At Second Line Parade

A shooting at a New Orleans Mother’s Day parade has injured at least 17 people, according to police. Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas stated that a 10-year-old girl was among the wounded.

The girl was in good condition, though three or four other people were in surgery. No deaths were reported in the shooting, which took place around 2 pm local time.

Serpas added that the procession was accompanied by officers, who saw two or three suspects flee the scene after shots were fired. The scene was in the city’s 7th Ward.

The victims were marching in a second line parade, a common occurrence in New Orleans. A brass band plays while marching in the streets. Behind them, a “second line” of people celebrates. The parade where shots were fired was just a few blocks long. Serpas added:

“These are unusual circumstances. We have second lines which occur in the city of New Orleans virtually every weekend at this time of year. We had a full compliment of police officers. It appears that these 2 or 3 people for a reason unknown to us, started shooting at towards, or in the crowd. It was over in just a couple seconds.”

Serpas added that suspects likely used two different types of weapons and that there were up to three shooters. At least one suspect in the New Orleans shooting was described as a man between the ages of 18 and 22.

Nobody has been arrested in the parade shooting and it is unclear what sparked the gunfire. Sunday’s second line parade was organized by a social club called The Original Big 7. While some second line parades are planned, others can be impromptu. They are also described sometimes as moving block parties. About 200 people attended the event.

Officials are searching for the three suspects seen running from the scene of the New Orleans shooting.

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