LOUISIANA — Several people were wounded when gunmen opened fire in an Upper 9th Ward park in New Orleans Sunday.
The scene is in the 1900 block of Gallier Street.
The New Orleans Police Department is investigating the shooting that left 16 people injured tonight at Bunny Friend Playground, located at 1903 Desire Street.
Around 6:15 p.m., several hundred people were gathered at the playground for an impromptu block party when two groups began shooting at each other. Witnesses told police that both groups left the park on foot immediately after the shooting. Fifth District officers, who were already on their way to the playground to break up the crowd after learning of the event, arrived immediately after the shooting occurred.
According to WWL-TV, two gunmen shot into a crowd near Bunny Friend park after a Nine Times Social Aide & Pleasure Club parade around 6:49 p.m. on Sunday night.
NOLA.com reports: “People scattered everywhere. Three witnesses said they saw a man with a silver-colored machine gun head toward Louisa Avenue. They also heard more gunshots coming from within the crowd as he ran away.
New Orleans police officers had been monitoring the second line, but witnesses say they were beginning to disperse as the after party kept going. As soon as gunshots were heard, however, officers were on the scene immediately, witnesses said.”
Several victims were lying on the sidewalk along Gallier Street sidewalk after the chaos died down a bit.
The mayor has arrived on scene. The investigation is ongoing.
Stay with Breaking911 for updates.
