NEW ORLEANS — Residents of one of America’s most violent cities cheered seven arrests in a Mother’s Day neighborhood parade shooting that left 19 people wounded and three in critical condition.
Two New Orleans brothers were booked with 20 counts each of attempted second-degree murder in Sunday’s shooting spree. Five others were accused of helping suspects avoid capture.
Mayor Mitch Landrieu, who strongly promotes the city’s tourism industry, including the annual Mardi Gras celebration, said the arrests are the latest evidence of the city’s determination to stop the gunplay that mars its image.
“The culture of death and violence on the streets of New Orleans is unnatural, it’s unacceptable and the people of New Orleans have had enough,” Landrieu said.
Akein Scott, 19, was captured Wednesday night. His brother, Shawn Scott, 24, was arrested Thursday morning.
The latest arrested Friday was 19-year-old Monique Pepe. Police said she allowed Shawn Scott to hide at her house. She and four others are charged with being accessories after the fact to attempted second-degree murder and obstruction of justice, police said.
Police said the shootings were believed to be gang related.
The Dalai Lama, visiting New Orleans for the first time Friday, expressed condolences to victims.
“Nonviolence is the only way of solving problems,” he told reporters. “The real gun control, ultimately it comes here,” the Tibetan spiritual leader said, pointing at his heart.
Sunday’s shooting happened during a “second line” parade, so called because watchers of the procession of musicians and festively clad marchers often join in, forming a second line of marchers.
The violence erupted less than two miles from the popular French Quarter.
