NEW ORLEANS — Security video shows people running away after a man was shot and killed on Bourbon Street early Saturday morning. It was the fourth homicide reported in the French Quarter in 2024, the highest number by that date in at least 13 years according to the NOPD’s crime map .
The NOPD said the shooting happened at 4:07 a.m. Saturday. When officers arrived, they found a man with a single gunshot wound at the corner of Bourbon and Toulouse Streets. He was taken to the hospital where he died a short time later.
“I checked in on my coworkers, made sure they were okay” said Swig and Swine bartender Janna Bruce. She had left work before the shooting, which happened less than half a block from the bar. “It’s Bourbon Street, it’s New Orleans, and bad things do happen.”
A camera at the Cat’s Meow, provided by Earthcam, shows a small crowd of people running from the scene of the shooting. It took place just off camera. Police have not identified the victim of the shooting or named any suspects.
The latest data from the Metropolitan Crime Commission show the year-to-date homicide rate in New Orleans has dropped since 2022.
The French Quarter, however, appears to have seen more homicides so far in 2024 than any year since at least 2011, the first on the NOPD’s crime map. That includes 2022, in which New Orleans saw its highest homicide rate in decades. That year, there had been three homicides in the French Quarter by June 22.
State Rep. Alonzo Knox, whose district includes the French Quarter, released the following statement after the shooting:
I am deeply saddened by the recent murder on Bourbon Street. My condolences go out to the family and loved ones of the victim. Unfortunately, it is even more distressing to acknowledge that this was only a matter of time, and it is likely not the last such tragedy. As I have consistently stated, large crowds, alcohol, and guns do not mix.
My original bill aimed to designate all of downtown, including the French Quarter, as a firearm-free zone. Regrettably, this bill was not rescheduled as we neared the end of the legislative session. However, I was able to collaborate with Senator Kirk Talbot to pass a more limited version of the bill, specifically targeting Bourbon Street. This bill, now signed by the Governor, provides law enforcement with a tool to address situations with reasonable suspicion and clearly defines negligent carry, even when outside bars on Bourbon Street.
Law enforcement has repeatedly emphasized the need for greater gun control in the city, particularly in downtown areas where large crowds frequently gather. My hope is that my legislative colleagues will heed these calls for stronger protective measures for both the public and law enforcement.
Anyone with information on Saturday’s shooting can contact Crimestoppers anonymously at 504-822-1111.
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