Category: Bourbon Street

6 people injured in French Quarter shootings on Canal, Bourbon streets

Six people sustained gunshot injuries during a violent weekend in the French Quarter following incidents on Canal and Bourbon streets, according to New Orleans Police.

The victims were injured in three separate shooting incidents that were reported on Saturday and Sunday following Southern University’s win against Grambling State University in the annual Bayou Classic held at the Caesars Superdome.

The first shooting was reported at about 7:29 p.m. on Saturday, when a victim was shot after gunfire erupted in the 200 block of Bourbon Street, according to the NOPD, which described the suspect as an “unknown Black male.” The victim was not identified.

A male victim sustained a gunshot injury in a shooting that was reported at about 8:41 p.m. Saturday in the 1000 block of Canal Street, according to the NOPD. The male victim, who was not identified, allegedly told police that he was walking and when he turned around, he was shot. The suspect was not identified.

A third shooting incident was reported at about 2:29 a.m. Sunday, when four people sustained gunshot injuries following an altercation in the 700 block of Canal Street, according to the NOPD, which did not identify the victims but added that all four were transported to a local hospital via New Orleans Emergency Medical Services. A suspect was not identified.

NOFD crews extinguish fire at bar near Bourbon, Orleans streets

Crews extinguished a fire that broke out at a bar near the intersection of Bourbon and Orleans streets early Tuesday morning, officials said.

The incident was reported at about 2:44 a.m., when smoke was seen coming from the building at 720 Bourbon St., according to New Orleans Fire officials.

Initial fire crews arrived about five minutes later and located the fire between the second and third floors of the wood-framed building, and throughout the attic. After evaluating the size of the fire, crews immediately requested more units shortly after 3 a.m., officials said.

The bar located at the intersection is Jessica’s Quarter Haus, which opened last summer.

NOFD officials said there was difficulty in accessing the fire, prompting a call for a third-alarm, or a request for more personnel and equipment, at about 3:17 a.m. More than an hour after the incident was called, at about 4:02 a.m., crews brought the fire under control, according to the NOFD

In total, the NOFD deployed 20 units with 52 personnel to the fire, officials said. Additionally, Entergy electric utility workers were on scene to assist firefighters.

One firefighter sustained injuries to his hand and was treated on scene by New Orleans Emergency Medical Service personnel, according to the NOFD.

Crews remained on scene fore fire watch as an extra precaution until further notice, the NOFD said, adding that the fire is under investigation to determine its cause.

Pictures courtesy of NOFD.

Bomb scare reported on Bourbon Street

New Orleans Police responded to a reported bomb threat on Bourbon Street Thursday, although a bomb wasn’t located, officials said.

Police logs show the bomb threat was reported at about 8:40 p.m. in the 700 block of Bourbon Street.

Upon responding to the scene, police units investigated the area but did not discover anything to support a bomb threat, NOPD said.

2 people shot near Bourbon, Toulouse streets UPDATED

All photos by Eric T. Styles

Two people sustained gunshot wounds Saturday morning near the intersection of Bourbon and Toulouse streets, according to New Orleans Police.

Police said the shooting was reported shortly after 6 a.m. following argument between a man and a woman. Witnesses told The Quarter Rat that the two were arguing outside near a Toulouse Street bar when another woman walked up to the man and shot him in the chest at close range.

The gunfire injured a third woman, who was shot in the leg, police said.

Update 10/8/23, 1:29 p.m. EST: NOPD officials said they’ve arrested 30-year-old Shawnnika Smith Saturday evening in connection with the shooting.

Through an investigation, the NOPD identified Smith and issued a warrant for her arrest. Officials said she was located and arrested with the help of the NOPD’s Special Operations Division and was in possession of a 9 millimeter pistol. Police did not immediately say where Smith was arrested.

Smith was booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center on suspicion of attempted second degree murder, two counts of aggravated second degree battery, aggravated assault with a firearm and illegal discharge of a firearm, NOPD said, adding that she is presumed innocent until found guilty.

Eric. T. Styles, The Quarter Rat’s art director, said he was inside of his Toulouse Street apartment when he heard a rapid burst of gunfire but initially believed the shots echoed from elsewhere within the French Quarter.

It wasn’t until about an hour later when Styles stepped out of his apartment and saw fire personnel hosing off the street when he learned people were shot half a block away from where he lives.

Emergency personnel transported to the shooting victims to a local hospital, although their conditions weren’t immediately known as of Saturday evening.

The shooting is under investigation, NOPD said.

Anyone with additional information about the incident is asked to contact NOPD’s Eighth District detectives at 504-658-6080. Anonymous callers can contact Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.

Suspect in Bourbon Street attempted robbery sought by police, NOPD says

Picture courtesy of the NOPD.

New Orleans Police on Monday have asked for the public’s help with identifying a person who they say is the suspect in a Bourbon Street attempted armed robbery that occurred last February.

The incident occurred on Feb. 10 at about 3:13 a.m. in the 1300 block of Bourbon Street, where two victims reported being held at gunpoint, according to the NOPD.

Police investigators said that one victim struck the suspect and began struggling for control of the firearm. A good Samaritan intervened and the victim managed to take the gun from the suspect, who fled the scene on foot, the NOPD said.

Through an investigation, NOPD detectives positively identified the alleged suspect as the perpetrator in the incident and released pictures of the person on Monday.

Anyone with information about the alleged suspect or this incident is asked to contact NOPD Eighth District detectives at 504-658-6080. Anonymous callers can contact Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 1-877-903-7867.