NEW ORLEANS – Two separate shootings in the French Quarter injured seven victims early Sunday morning, though police say no one was killed.
The shootings came during a busy time for the area, as thousands were celebrating in the streets following the Bayou Classic that had ended just hours before.
The first shooting, according to NOPD spokesman Officer Shereese Harper, happened around 1:50 a.m. in the 700 block of Canal Street. Harper said police found two victims there: one who was shot in the chest and another who was shot in the abdomen.
Harper said police later arrested a suspect in connection with the shooting on Conti Street.
Police haven’t identified the suspect or the victims in the shooting, nor have they listed a motive.
The second shooting happened near the crowded intersection of Bourbon and Toulouse streets around 3:10 a.m., shutting off action for a period of time, Harper said. Five victims were shot at that area and were transported to the hospital, where one was listed in critical condition while the others were treated for non life-threatening injuries .
Officials say the victims in the Bourbon Street shooting included two people from the New Orleans area, two from Baton Rouge, and one from Lafayette.
An employee at one club on Bourbon Street said it was a chaotic scene.
"It was crowded, I mean, we're talking people from one building to the other building throughout the street," he said. "It's sad. Like I said, I've only lived here three years, but I love this town already. I left once, I came back because I love this town, and it's sad to hear that happen. It hurts business because it hurts tourism."
Eyewitness News asked for an interview with the NOPD, but officials were unavailable.
If you know anything about these shootings, call Crimestoppers at 822-1111.
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