NEW ORLEANS - Two shooting scenes near St. Charles Avenue parade routes have left two people injured and one dead, the New Orleans Police reported Tuesday.
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The first shooting happened around 3:15 p.m. at St. Charles and Carondelet streets, the New Orleans Police Department said.
One man was shot in the head and is in critical condition, the other, a male juvenile, was shot in the leg and is in stable condition, according to Deputy Superintendent Paul Noel.
Later Tuesday night, police sent a photo of who is believed to be the shooter.
A second shooting happened Uptown near St. Charles and Second Street where a fight broke out and a man was shot and rushed to the hospital. Police said late Tuesday night that the man died.
NOPD Chief Michael Harrison said it is believed the man was shot twice. There was no immediate word on his condition. Harrison said there are reports of citizens who were trying to break up the fight before the shots rang out.
As people started to scatter from the scene, one officer chased a suspect described as having a light complexion and pink-colored shirt however the officer lost the suspect, police say.
Harrison said that one person who was involved in the fight has been taken into custody, however officers are still searching for the suspect that got away.
In both instances, the parades, which were halted for a while, resumed after the scene was secured.
In the first shooting, Noel said 10-to-12 people got into an argument before the gunshots erupted.
Two witnesses said they heard five or six shots.
"It was pretty intense, to say the least," said one witness, who declined to give his name. "It's just real unfortunate it happened, especially during such a fun time."
Another witness, who was visiting the city for Carnival season, said the shooting appeared to be among a group of young people.
"I'm kind of scared," said Nawwal Smith, who said his family told him to be safe while he was in New Orleans. "Now we know exactly what they meant."
Harrison described both shootings as "very disappointing" and "very frustrating" as they have been working hard all day to keep the parade routes safe.