NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — As Lundi Gras celebrations kicked off across the city of New Orleans on Monday evening, police were on the scene of a shooting that led to a crash in New Orleans East, killing two people and leaving three others critically injured.
According to the New Orleans Police Department, the shooting happened around 5:30 p.m. Monday at North I-10 Service Road at Bundy Road.
Officers responded to the scene for a report of shots fired in the area. When they arrived, police discovered a crash involving a black Dodge and a white Nissan.
Two men inside the Dodge suffered gunshot wounds. Both victims were pronounced dead on the scene by EMS.
The Orleans Parish Coroner later identified the two victims to be:
- Andrew Stiller (age 35)
- Johnell Hampton (age 21)
The NOPD says the three riding in the Nissan had also been shot in the head: a 35-year-old man, a 38-year-old woman, and another woman who had not yet been identified by police.
The three were taken to the hospital and listed in critical condition.
Investigations revealed the shooting led to the Dodge running off the road, through a fence, and onto the interstate where it crashed into the Nissan. However, details regarding what led up to the shooting, and who pulled the trigger, remained unclear.
Westbound traffic on I-10 from Read Boulevard to Crowder Boulevard was shut down due to the crash. The highway reopened nearly five hours later,
The NOPD is in the process of gathering evidence and information to determine a possible suspect and motive.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact the NOPD’s Homicide Section at (504) 658-5300 or Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111 or toll-free at 1-877-903-7867.