2 dead, 11 injured in St. Roch Nine Times Social Aid & Pleasure Club second line shooting

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – New Orleans police and city council members are calling for community support in their investigation into two shootings at the Nine Times Social Aid and Pleasure Club’s Second Line on Sunday.

The event, also known as the “Ninth Ward Holiday,” drew thousands to the Desire and Florida neighborhoods.

A total of 13 people were injured, with two killed, as violence broke out twice along the route within an hour.

The first shooting occurred around 3:38 p.m. in the 1800 block of Almonaster Avenue, injuring 10 people.

NOPD Supt. Anne Kirkpatrick said two guns were fired at the scene, but there were no fatalities in the first incident.

About 45 minutes later, another shooting broke out as the parade crossed the Almonaster Bridge. Three people were hit by gunfire. Two were killed and the third was injured but in a stable condition.

The deceased victims, who are related, were identified by a family member as Malachi Jackson, 19, and Rasean Carter, 21, of Marrero.

No cars were allowed on the bridge, meaning the shooting happened in the crowd, Kirkpatrick explained.

• Initial shooting:
  • Male, 30 years
  • Male, 32 years
  • Male, 33 years old
  • Male, 20 years old
  • Woman, 71 years
  • Female, 32 years
  • Female, 24 years
  • Female, 28 years old
  • Female, 40 years
  • Female, 30 years
• Second shooting:
  • Deceased: Two adult men aged 21 and 19
  • The damage: Male, 34 years old

In a separate incident, a woman was reportedly injured by a vehicle doing donuts in a nearby parking lot.

City Council members Eugene Green and Oliver Thomas joined Kirkpatrick at a news conference Monday, saying the shootings do not reflect the culture of New Orleans’ beloved second-line tradition.

Green said he was present and pointed out that duck lines typically occur without incident. He noted that Nine Times has an otherwise clean record of hosting safe events.

“This is a sad day. (Second line) is part of the culture. It’s part of my district,” he said.

“Sometimes there are cases where there are people who are so intent on violence, intent on getting rid of their aggressions, people who hate themselves, people who hate other people, that they will do what they have to do, no matter what is around them. We’ve seen that in other shootings and other killings, but also in the way people sometimes treat other people.”

Thomas, who has marched with Nine Times in the past, said his daughter had asked him to join her this year, but he was out of town. He said he is disappointed by those who “damage” the town’s traditions.

“It’s painful to see something like this happen, especially when you know this club and this tradition,” he said.

Thomas praised the NOPD’s work in reducing crime, but stressed the need for community support in ongoing investigations.

“We cannot celebrate the NOPD and the crime-fighting efforts and strategies that have been in place and then question their ability to solve crime,” he said.

Pastor Jacques Williams, who serves as a “violence interrupter” for the NOPD, addressed the importance of community cooperation in the fight against violence.

“We have a saying in the Ninth Ward: ‘We’re from the Nine and we don’t mind dying’. But we do mind dying,” he said.

Despite the NOPD’s presence at the event, no arrests have been made, and officials are asking for the public’s help in solving the case.

Kirkpatrick said there had been additional police presence at the second line because of previous violence at similar events. The NOPD has not yet determined whether the two shootings were connected.

Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in each of the shootings.

Despite the high-profile nature of the incident, CEO Darlene Cusanza says Crimestoppers has not received many tips and is urging anyone with information or video evidence from the scene to come forward.

“We’re sure somebody probably has video, film, something, and we’d like them to call,” Kirkpatrick said.

Anonymous tips can be reported by calling (504) 822-1111.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, Attorney General Liz Murrill and U.S. Rep. Troy Carter (D-New Orleans) shared statements condemning the violence.

Landry called the shooting “tragic,” prayed for those involved and thanked first responders.

“The violence must stop,” he wrote on X.

Murrill stressed that “this kind of lawlessness will not be tolerated” and called for swift justice.

I am sorry to hear about this senseless mass shooting in New Orleans this afternoon. I pray for the victims and their families. This kind of lawlessness will NOT be tolerated. I hope the perpetrators are caught soon and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

You can… https://t.co/IYDtqYXCaQ

— Attorney General Liz Murrill (@AGLizMurrill) 18 November 2024

Carter said the shootings are disturbing.

“Violence touches every part of our society and it pains me to see it wreak such havoc in moments meant to bring joy,” he wrote.

I am deeply disturbed by the shootings that took place yesterday in St. Roche. My prayers are with those who were injured or killed and their families at this tragic time. Gun violence touches every part of our society and it pains me to see it cause such devastation in…

— Congressman Troy A. Carter (@RepTroyCarter) 18 November 2024

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