NEW ORLEANS — Sunday’s shooting during a second-line parade in St Roch left two people dead and ten others injured prompting strong condemnation from Councilmember Eugene Green.
In a WWL Louisiana Morning Show interview on Monday, Councilmember Green made it clear that the shooting does not reflect the spirit of second line events, which he says are a vital part of New Orleans culture.
“There was such a good time that was being had by so many including children. The person, or persons who perpetrated this crime was simply sick, simply filled with hate, simply filled with a disregard for other humans.”
“It is not a reflection upon the second line itself. Here I am at WWL, and we just had a second line for Eric Paulson in our city. It was well attended. There was an incident-free second line for Frankie Beverly and the like, they happen almost every weekend in our city. It's unfortunate that this incident happened, but it's not a reflection on second lines in general,” he said.
He also expressed his condolences to the victims' families and praised the New Orleans Police Department for its ongoing investigation.
“I know that the NOPD is a very hard-working group of individuals. Their homicide unit is going to be on this one. They recognize the significance obviously of this relative to our entire city,” Green said. “I think that you're going to see a very thorough and motivated investigation because they're interested in the families of those who were hurt and those of course who are deceased. I do want to emphasize that I want to express my condolences to the family.”
Green also stressed that it is not fair to assume that this incident reflects the Nine Times Social Aid and Pleasure Club or the city’s second line tradition.
“It has nothing to do with it being a second line, but I can't comment on the frequency at this one other than to say that I haven't experienced it. It's in my district and I will tell you, I don't think that this particular second line has more of a propensity to have shootings than at others.”
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