7 People, Including Baby, Shot On Parade Route - New Orleans

I grew up in South Louisiana, and I don't remember anything like this ever happening during Mardi Gras...sure there have been the occasional deaths over the years from random acts, accidents, or alcohol poisoning, but shooters taking random shots on the crowd?!?! That's not the Mardi Gras I know and love...plus the other posters are right about St. Charles being one of the safer spots in the city...I saw many parades in that area as a young child!

This really makes me mad, because Mardi Gras is supposed to be all about having a good time and these punks have to ruin it!

Why're people calling the parents for taking their children to a fun parade?
If you need to prove you're over 18 to go then taking children could be questionable, but I'm sure that a public parade during daytime on public streets is regarded as family entertainment and not some sex/alcohol/drug party.

If I was in the area with my children I'd have took them along to watch the parade.

Originally posted by nixie_nox
Who takes a baby to Mardi Gras? Is next years trip going to Las Vegas and having them pick out an escort from one of the flyers? Nice example of selfish parenting. People want adult vacations but can't afford a babysitter. So do the right thing and go to Disneyworld.

Did they say who did the shooting and why?

[edit on 24-2-2009 by nixie_nox]

Just one of the many sacrifices in the life of parenting... Several times over the last 15 years my ex-wife and I wanted an "adult" vacation... Compromise was...Disney World, Sea World, Discovery Cove, Universal Studios... I have no regrets and would do it all again.

I find this very suspicious, since President "Change" is now attempting to take our guns away. I would be curious if the "shooters" remember shooting their guns. Patsy's never remember actually shooting their targets, that is any shooter who did not commit suicide after shooting their target (s). Or the suspects will be heart attached or suicided.

Results of the CIA brain washing to get them to do the shooting. So called "Manchurian Candidates".

reply to post by doogle


Clearly the poster isn't familiar with the "daytime activities" of Mardi Gras. It's known for the more outlandish and wild parties of Bourbon Street at night. That's the stuff of headlines. But families attend the daytime events:

reply to post by questioningall


Wow nice early morning story to read, nothing different from yesterday I
suppose but still absolutely meaningless. There will most like be extremely harsh charges, if one of the people shot dies I believe They may be subject to the Death Penalty or at least the one who was holding that particular gun. I agree with that other poster who said, "who brings a baby to madi gras", but either way you can't SHOOT anybody and believe me DSS is probably all over this, especially if heavy drinking was involved. Anyway these two will see strict penalties New Orlean's is trying to crack down on their crime and these two probably won't receive any sympathy.

[edit on 25-2-2009 by TNT13]

reply to post by Benevolent Heretic


Was this infact a daytime event? Just asking I don't know myself.

Never mind answered; just before 2pm, so definately the parents shouldn't receive any charges.

[edit on 25-2-2009 by TNT13]

Originally posted by nixie_nox
Who takes a baby to Mardi Gras?

The people who live there. Trust me...there are a lot of babies in New Orleans and lots of kids on the parade route.

If you want a safe place to see mardi gras go to mobile alabama where it originated

I have to wonder what culture these two poor victims of society are from? I think we need to take these two people and give them a bail out. They really sound like they are just misunderstood.

Maybe one of the many shows that cater to people like this can have them on and they can tell their life story.

I am not saying the bystanders are at fault, no way. I think this is a crime. Anyone hear WHY these people did this? I can't find a reason. Its a shame because the city needs the tourism again, and things like this don't help. I have been there and I have relatives there. Parade or no, when you have massive gatherings for events, things are gonna happen. And people who are gonna go to the night events are gonna go to the day events. But, if you think it shoudl be safe, I will take your word for it. I wouldn't take children. Sorry. I thought people were nuts taking children to the inauguration. BTW, Vegas touts itself as a family event too.
Which is why you see poor cranky children who are half asleep being lugged through a casino at 1:00am.

I wonder if it is the same people that shot at the helicopter that tried to rescue them from the dome?

During the television coverage of Mardi Gras yesterday, reporters repeatedly encouraged viewers to visit New Orleans to contribute to the city's tourism industry and overall economic recovery. I loved New Orleans when I visited a few years ago and I've been considering another visit, but the recurring reports of the city's exceptionally high crime rate are keeping me away. I think it's a fantastic city, quite unlike anyplace else, but I just don't want to risk it...and I'm regularly in regions of conflict, so that's saying something. I get enough danger from work; I like my free time to be spent in safer places. I hope New Orleans can find a way to control the crime currently dominating the area--it's too vibrant and unique a city to allow it to crumble.

*To state for the umpteenth time, as apparently a few of you can't be bothered to read the few pages of this thread, Mardi Gras is not a purely adult experience. The daytime parades are viewed by many, many children--it's a yearly family event for the natives I've known. Alcohol and sex may be all you see of Mardi Gras in the media, but the reality is quite different.

reply to post by nixie_nox


I like, have to agree, who really takes a baby to Mardi Gras and is a responsible parent? I would be afraid, since all kinds of people go there, that my baby might even be kidnapped... You never know obviously.

reply to post by nixie_nox


I have. My children loved the parade's. Some of the parades are even geared for children. Candy, beads, crazy floats and costumes. It really is a family friendly event. Not sure how many parades they do but I think it was one a day for the week long Mardi Gras.
The drunken boob flashing usually is on Bourbon street. Bourbon street on the other hand is not a place for kids.

The infamous "Chocolate City" (Reference). You people that defend the criminals in the world make me sick. One post defending a rapist, now you have these people shooting 7 at the parade.

The insanity of this world amazes me. That city is full of people that refused to leave town for a huge hurricane. Then blame the government for not coming to wipe their noses because of their refusal to leave.

This is a sad event. This should not happen. There is no reason you cannot take children to Mardi Gras. Should we fear the local wild life? We should not.

Mardi Gras was never an "adult" celebration. There are some who think it is, was or should be, but that is Bourbon Street. Family and kids are always welcome and for the most part it's a peaceful celebration until the gangs decide it's recruiting time again and have the pledges go ruin the day for everyone.

Blame should not be on the parents one bit. If you want to yell and scream at parents for bringing their kids where they don't belong, then walk down Bourbon St and yell at the ones trying to drag their 8 year old boys away from the Barely Legal window.

Unfortunately, downtown has become dangerous (rather always has been a bit scary) due to the wave of gang initiation attacks.

reply to post by northof8


Your talking the shooters??????? Why should we give any publicity what so ever to a criminal?? Your logic doesn't seem to be very clear to me, unless your otherwise completely insane; then ok your statement makes sense. But otherwise isn't this the problem with American Society? Glorified Trash?

reply to post by TNT13

Im sure his post was sarcasm.

In regards to the crime, New Orleans has always had a rather high crime rate ... I believe it's second to San Juan, Puerto Rico for the highest murder rate in the US. San Juan has over 700 murders a year in a city of only 435,000 ... yet like NOLA, SJPR is also billed as a "family friendly" vacation city ... especially the cruise ship packages to Old San Juan.