Several shot at playground in New Orleans, police say
NEW ORLEANS -- At least 16 people have been taken to the hospital after a shooting at Bunny Friend playground in the Upper Ninth Ward in New Orleans, the New Orleans Police Department tells CBS affiliate WWL.
The incident occurred as people were shooting an impromptu music video, WWL reports. An estimated 500 people were at the playground.
Police said all of the victims were stable and all were suffering either from direct gunshot wounds or graze wounds. The suspects were able to get away.
At least 10 people taken to hospitals by ambulance but the victim count could rise from shooting by multiple gunman in upper Ninth Ward.
— Meg Farris (@megfarrisWWL) November 23, 2015
Witnesses told WWL that at least two gunmen were shooting into the crowd.
In a statement, the New Orleans police said witnesses told police that both groups involved in the shooting ran off immediately after the gunfire.
Police spokesman Tyler Gamble says police were on their way to break up a big crowd when gunfire erupted at Bunny Friend Park.
He says ambulances took 10 people to hospitals, and police were told that others were taken by private vehicles.
No kids shot at Bunny Friend Park, but teenagers were. Still hearing 16 victims so far.
— Katie Moore (@katiecmoore) November 23, 2015
Gamble says there were two groups at the park -- people who had walked there in a neighborhood parade and people watching or participating in a video.
Earlier in the day, nearby, the Nine Times Second Line parade took place. Mayor Mitch Landrieu said it was a block or two from the shooting scene.
"At the end of the day it's really hard to police against a bunch of guys who decide to pull out guns and settle disputes with 300 people between them," said Landrieu.