NEW ORLEANS (AP) – New Orleans officials are quite sure someone knows the identities of the shooters who opened fire on each other in a crowd of hundreds of people during a block party – and they are urging them to come forward.
Police Superintendent Michael Harrison says the shootout that wounded 17 people Sunday night was probably gang-related. He said it’s “highly possible” that the shooting was related to the city’s heroin trade but authorities are still investigating.
Sunday’s shooting turned an evening of fun into a nightmare for the hundreds – possibly as many as 500 – who had gathered at the Bunny Friend Playground for what police described as a block party. A music video was also being filmed there. Police said neither event had a permit.
New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu told a news conference Monday that given the number of people at the playground, it’s “pretty clear that people do know” who the shooters are.
“If you want to take back your community, you have to help us,” said the mayor, who likened the shooting to domestic terrorism.