NEW ORLEANS – Crimestoppers is doubling the reward for information about a shooting in Mid-City that killed two men and sent three others to the hospital.
The shooting happened in a large gathering in the 3700 block of Tulane Avenue around 12:30 a.m. Saturday. Two men were killed and three others, including a teenager, were hurt.
According to New Orleans Police, officers were in the area of the gathering when they heard shots fired. Officers found five people suffering from gunshot wounds. Two of the victims were taken to the hospital by ambulance. Two victims were pronounced dead by EMS.
Family members identified one of the victims as 25-year-old Larry King, nicknamed “Mike Larry.” Relatives told the New Orleans Advocate that King was on stage when the attack happened.
“He was the sweetest and funniest person in our family,” family members said. “He kept us together when we had family problems.”
The New Orleans Advocate reports that the second victim was identified as Zach Nelson, a graduate of St. Augustine High School.
A preliminary report Saturday morning said one of the surviving victims was listed in critical condition. The other two victims are expected to survive.
Investigators are still looking into why the shooting happened and why victims were found in different parts of the neighborhood.
“We did have one body on Telemachus, we did have another individual in a vehicle that was shot on Banks Street and Telemachus I believe,” Hans Ganthier with New Orleans Police said. “So we’re still trying to figure out how far exactly it went.”
Residents in the area say the violence is hitting too close to home.
Finn McCool’s Irish Pub found itself near part of the crime scene. Nobody inside the pub was hurt, but General Manager Chad Williams said it has been a topic of conversation with Saturday’s customers.
Saturday’s shooting marks the 241st shooting incident in New Orleans year-to-date. And while police continue their investigation into this case, some worry it won’t be the last.
Crimestoppers is offering a reward of $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information is asked to call 504-822-1111.