New Orleans police released the name and picture of the 19-year-old who they believe is responsible for the second-line parade shooting on Mother’s Day that injured 19 people.
New Orleans Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas held a press conference last night to announce that an arrest warrant has been issued for Akein Scott, 19, who he said was positively identified by more than one person.
Scott is still at-large after police searched for him last night at three different addresses.
“We will be looking for Akein Scott for the rest of the night and tomorrow until we find him, and I would strongly recommend that Akein turn himself in,” said Serpas.
“I want to remind you that two children were struck in this incident,” he said. “And if you choose not to tell the police what you know, then you’re choosing to stand with those who shot those children.”
While most of the injuries weren’t life-threatening, a man and a woman reportedly required surgery on Sunday night.
The shooting occurred in the 7th Ward, about a mile and a half from the heart of the French Quarter and on the edges of the Treme neighborhood dramatized in the fictional HBO series “Treme.”
New Orleans Police Department spokeswoman Remi Braden said many of the victims were grazed, some by bullets that ricocheted.
“At this point, there are no fatalities, and most of the wounds are not life-threatening,” she told the New Orleans Times Picayune by email.
“But all medical conditions are not known at this time as victims were rushed to nearby hospitals,” Braden continued. “Detectives are conducting interviews, retrieving any surveillance video in the area and, of course, collecting all evidence. This is an extremely unusual occurrence, and we’re confident that we will make swift arrests.”
Police said 10 adult men, seven adult women, a 10-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl were struck by bullets. The 10-year-olds had graze wounds to the body and were in good condition.
Shannon Roberts, 32, was waiting in the Interim LSU Hospital in New Orleans on Sunday afternoon with other crying, fearful and angry family members. She said a 21-year-old nephew was shot in the arm and stomach, a 37-year-old niece was shot in the arm, and a 39-year-old cousin was shot in the back.
“All innocent bystanders got hit,” Roberts told the Times Picayune. “When I got the call saying they were shot, I wasn’t thinking at all, I was just shivering and crying… just hoping they be all right.
“The city needs to stop the violence. It’s hurting our families,” Roberts continued.
She said the shooters should turn themselves in. “Mothers should not have to be crying any day, no less Mother Day.”
“These kinds of incidents will not go unanswered,” Mayor Mitch Landrieu said. “Somebody knows something. The way to stop this violence is for you all to help.”
The second line was organized by the Original Big 7 Social Aid and Pleasure Club, which has held it on Mother’s Day since 2001, according to Edward Buckner, the club’s president.
Buckner said the parade was started “to celebrate the women of America in New Orleans for the hard time that they have taking care of children, taking care of everyone.”
“I can’t tell you what the gunmen looked like. I was busy parading. So, you know, I didn’t see it coming,” Buckner said. “Everyone was just busy having a good time.
“My feelings are hurt for the victims, and the club sends our sympathies and we hope that each of the families know that we wish them a speedy recovery,” Buckner said. “We hope that the people who were shot don’t stop being fans of the Big 7, because it wasn’t anything that they did or the club did, it was just a random act of violence.
“It’s not because of the associated pleasure clubs that this type of terrorist act happens. That’s not the type of crowd that follow us. We have people as old as 70, and as young as 5.”
