NEW ORLEANS — Members of the 9 Times Social Aid and Pleasure Club are mourning after a shooting at their annual second line parade Sunday left two people dead and 11 wounded in the New Orleans Ninth Ward.
The violence erupted as crowds gathered to watch the parade. The club had completed about 80% of its route when the first shots were fired near Almonaster Boulevard and North Roman Street, with a second round of gunfire occurring approximately 45 minutes later near the Almonaster Bridge.
"You immediately go from enjoying yourself, loving your family, smiling to okay how can we respond, how can we assist," said Oscar Brown, a longtime club member and organizer who heard the initial gunfire.
The second line, which drew spectators from the Desire to the Florida neighborhoods, was cut short following the shooting.
"No one was expecting to come out and be running for their lives or trying to pick up their kids, to give shelter for their kids," Brown said. "No one was expecting to come to our event for that."
Club member Gerald Platenburg, known for entertaining crowds with his dance moves, said the violence left him devastated.
"I was caught up in entertaining people at that time, dancing, and I didn't really hear it but when I got the news of that, it kind of broke my spirit, I cried a little bit," Platenburg said.
The club regularly attracts both locals and out-of-town visitors for what Platenburg described as a "fun, spiritual parade" meant to serve the community.
“It’s not for us, it’s for the community and we really do it for the community,” Platenberg said.
By Monday morning, sanitation crews were cleaning debris along Franklin Avenue's neutral ground where crowds had gathered the day before.
The organization is cooperating with law enforcement and urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. Crimestoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and can be reached at 504-822-1111.
"We as a club are praying for the families and lift them up and want them to know if there is anything we can help with, we would love to do that," Brown said.
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