‘It’s painful to see...’: Leaders call for community help after shootings leave 2 dead, 11 injured
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE/Gray News) - New Orleans police and city council are urging community in their investigation after two shootings left two people dead and 11 others injured.
The shootings happened at the Nine Times Social Aid and Pleasure Club second-line parade event on Sunday. The event, also known as the “9th Ward Holiday,” drew thousands to the Desire and Florida neighborhoods.
In total, two people were killed and 11 others were injured, as violence erupted twice along the route within an hour.
The first shooting took place around 3:38 p.m. in the 1800 block of Almonaster Avenue, injuring ten people.
Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick with the New Orleans Police Department said two weapons were fired at the scene, but no fatalities occurred in the initial incident.
About 45 minutes later, another shooting broke out as the parade crossed the Almonaster Bridge. Three people were struck by gunfire, and two were pronounced dead, with the third injured but in stable condition.
The deceased victims, who are related, were identified by a family member as Malachi Jackson, 19, and Rasean Carter, 21. The third individual has only been identified as a 34-year-old man.
In the initial shooting, officials say the victims included both men and women, with ages ranging from 20 to 71.
No cars were allowed on the bridge, meaning the shooting happened within the crowd, Kirkpatrick explained. In a separate incident, a woman was reportedly injured by a vehicle doing donuts in a nearby parking lot.
City council Eugene Green and Oliver Thomas ed Kirkpatrick at a press conference Monday, saying that the shootings do not reflect the culture of New Orleans’ beloved second-line tradition.
Councilman Green says he was in attendance and pointed out that second lines typically occur without incident. He noted that Nine Times has an otherwise clean record of hosting safe events.
“This is a sad day. [Secondlines] are part of the culture. It’s part of my district,” he said. “Sometimes there are instances where there are people who are so bent on violence, bent on taking out their aggressions, people who hate themselves, people who hate other human beings that they’re gonna do what they have to do no matter what’s around them. We’ve seen that in other shootings and other killings but in also just the way sometimes people treat other people.”
Councilman Oliver Thomas, who has previously marched with Nine Times, says that his daughter had asked him to attend with her this year, but he was out of town. He says he is disappointed in those who “bring harm” to the city’s traditions.
“It’s painful to see something like this happen, especially when you know this club and this tradition,” Thomas said.
Thomas also praised the NOPD’s work in reducing crime but emphasized the need for community in ongoing investigations.
“We can’t celebrate the NOPD and the crime reduction efforts and strategies that’s been going on and then question their ability to solve crime,” he said.
Pastor Jacques Williams, who serves as a violence interrupter for NOPD, addressed the importance of community cooperation in combatting violence.
“We have a saying in the 9th Ward, ‘We’re from the Nine and we don’t mind dying,’ but we do mind dying,” he said.
Despite NOPD’s increased presence at the event, no arrests have been made, and officials are asking for the public’s help to solve the case.
Kirkpatrick said there had been additional police presence at the secondline due to prior violence at similar events. The NOPD has not yet determined if the two shootings were connected.
Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in each 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, film, something, and we would like them to call,” Kirkpatrick said.
Governor Jeff Landry, Attorney General Liz Murrill, and Congressman Troy Carter shared statements condemning the violence.
Landry called the shooting “tragic,” offered prayers for those involved, and thanked first responders. “The violence must end,” he wrote on X.
Murrill emphasized that “this kind of lawlessness will not be tolerated” and urged for swift justice.
Carter said the shootings are disturbing. “Gun violence touches every part of our community and it pains me to see it cause such devastation in moments meant to bring joy,” he wrote.
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