NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana – Six individuals were shot, leaving one dead in New Orleans, Louisiana outside of a convenience store after the City recently expanded “gun-free zones” to now include public parks and recreation facilities.
Five men and one woman were shot during an altercation, which New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) spokesman Tyler Gamble told Breitbart Texas “appears to be the largest number of victims in a single shooting incident this year.”
The victims, whose ages range from 23-63 years-old, were at the intersection of the convenience store when an unknown suspect was potentially targeting one person, NOPD told WWL-TV.
“Authorities said they believe the suspect intended to shoot someone who was at the location and struck several bystanders in the process,” WWL-TV reported.
The oldest victim, 63-year-old Earnest McKnight, was announced dead by the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office after he was listed as in critical condition.
Gamble told Breitbart Texas “We are not prepared to identify number of suspects involved at this time.”
“We’re looking into how this may be connected to any other crimes, any other acts of violence that have taken place in that area,” NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison told WWL.
The shooting comes days after news broke that the New Orleans’ city administration, run by Mayor Mitch Landrieu (D) was expanding the number of gun-free zones in the city, as the Democrat-led City Council said it would help reduce gun violence.
The gun-free zone ordinance mandates that all 103 parks and facilities in the city, along with events sponsored by the city’s recreation department, are affected.
Individuals caught in gun-free zones across the city will face a $500 fine or six months in prison, according to a report by the Hayride.
The only exemptions for the gun-free zones are for law enforcement and Louisiana residents with a concealed-carry permit.
While Louisiana has open carry laws in place, the gun-free zone ordinance otherwise prohibits residents from following state law.
Landrieu pushed the passage of the ordinance package, as he is a member of former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s “Mayors Against Illegal Guns” group.
The National Rifle Association (NRA) said they are opposed to the ordinance.
John Binder is a contributor for Breitbart Texas. Follow him on Twitter at @JxhnBinder.
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