At least 16 people have been hospitalized after gunmen opened fire at a park in New Orleans.
The shooting happened while about 500 people, including children, had gathered at Bunny Friend Park after a parade to listen to a DJ play music, WWL-TV reports.
A music video was also being recorded, according to the Associated Press.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. The Shooting Happened After an Annual Second Line Parade
According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, the shooting happened during a party after the annual Nine Times Social Aide & Pleasure Club’s second line.
Hundreds of people were gathered in the Upper 9th Ward park, the newspaper reports. The shooting happened at about 7 p.m., WWL-TV reports.
Nine Times is a social club in the 9th Ward community. It hosts a second line, a traditional New Orleans brass band parade, on the third Sunday of every month, according to the club’s Facebook page.
Videos from the earlier parade were posted on Youtube:
2. Police Believe At Least 2 Gunmen Opened Fire on the Crowd
Police said at least two gunmen opened fire into the crowd at the park, WWL-TV reports.
There are no suspects in custody.
3. Police Were in the Area When the Shooting Began
Mayor and chief were on the scene with dozens of NOPD officers.
According to the Times-Picayune, police had been monitoring the second line parade, but were beginning to leave before the shooting happened.
Officers were at the scene immediately after the gunshots were heard, witnesses told the newspaper.
4. The Gunfire Caused People to Scatter Everywhere, Witnesses Said
Witnesses described chaos as people scattered everywhere following the shooting, according to the Times-Picayune and posts on Twitter. One witness, who did not want to be identified, told the newspaper she was reminded of New Years’ Eve, when gunshots are fired in celebration.
Some of the wounded were taken to the hospital by private vehicles, while several ambulances also responded to provide aid.
5. A DJ Was Advertising an After Party at the Park
Cj Will Be Running Beats Live In 9 Times Followed By The Dj In BunnyFriend Park 4pm & Ending It In The Carver Theater #AFTERPARTY #Retweet🙌🏾
A New Orleans DJ, who goes by @showboycj on Twitter, was advertising an event at the park, saying he would be participating in the second line and then would be playing music at the park.
It’s not clear if the music video police said was being shot at the park was affiliated with the DJ.
