Mardi Gras parade shooting: 4 injured, 1 dead

One person was killed and four others were injured in a shooting along the Bacchus parade route in New Orleans as attendees gathered to celebrate Mardi Gras Sunday night, multiple outlets reported.

"Everyone ran. Everyone took cover. My whole family ducked. I kind of just hovered over my family, like the small children," witness Andrew Crawford told WWL.

"This is a family event," another witness told the outlet. "There is no reason for anyone to bring a gun."

Another witness told WWL at least a dozen shots were fired and that "people were falling all over themselves trying to get out of the way."

The victims included a girl, a woman, and three males, all of whom were taken to local hospitals. One male victim later died, the outlet also reported.

The remaining victims are in stable condition, WVUE reported in an update Monday morning.

The incident occurred at the intersection of St. Charles Avenue and Terpsichore around 9:30 p.m. local time in front of the Hoshun Restaurant. The parade temporarily halted before moving out of the area.

News anchor Jonah Gilmore shared footage of the scene on Twitter.

"We made one apprehension. We found two guns on scene. They were able to make one apprehension," New Orleans Police Department Chief Deputy Hans Ganthier said in an on-scene press conference.

"There were five victims. ... One was a juvenile," Ganthier added.

"This is really not something we wanted to see. We really wanted to see a safe Mardi Gras, and we will continue to work toward that end."

Ganthier said that NOPD officers, Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office, the Department of Corrections, and the state police were all on hand to assist.

As of Sunday night, New Orleans police said they could not be sure the individual they apprehended was the sole shooter. Officials encouraged the public to contact them with any information they may have about the incident. Witnesses or others with information about the crime can contact police directly at 504-658-6060 or anonymously via Crimestoppers at 1-877-903-7867.

Bacchus is among the biggest parades during carnival weekend. The Krewe of Bacchus, named for the Greek god of wine, was founded in 1968. The group has 1,600 riders and 32 floats.

Watch WDSU News coverage of the shooting below.

One dead, 4 shot during Bacchus paradeyoutu.be

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