Bourbon Street shooting suspect identified, 2 more sought

The NOPD released photos that they say show three suspects in the Bourbon Street shooting that wounded four people -- three of them innocent bystanders -- on Saturday night during Mardi Gras 2013 festivities. (Photo by NOPD)

By Mary Kilpatrick, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
on February 10, 2013 at 7:10 PM, updated February 11, 2013 at 1:05 AM

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  The NOPD has identified one suspect in the Bourbon Street shooting that wounded four people Saturday night, but has not yet released his name. New Orleans police believe two other people were involved in the crime during the height of the Mardi Gras season, but have not yet determined their identities, NOPD spokesman Gary Flot said.

Police said the shooting erupted in the packed 400 block of Bourbon Street outside a strip club about 9:30 p.m., after two men and an 18-year-old man started arguing.

The two men left, then returned shortly with a third man. Together, they approached the 18-year-old, police said. One of the men shot the 18-year-old three times: once in the stomach, once in the upper thigh and once in the pelvic area. He is listed in guarded condition, police said.

"It wasn't a random shooting," Flot said. "It seemed like one victim got into an altercation with the three suspects."

The spray of bullets also hit a 22-year-old woman in the chin and right foot, and a 21-year-old woman was shot in the left leg, police said. A 29-year-old man was shot in the buttocks. These victims were not seriously injured and have been released from the hospital, police said.

A bystander's camera caught the incident on tape.

In the video, at around 1 minute 40 seconds, there's an eerie moment where gunshots are heard, followed by screams and sounds of chaos. Revelers in beads and costumes can be seen panicking and running. Flot said several NOPD officers were on the block at the time of the shooting, and responded quickly.

The NOPD quickly released descriptions of the three suspects. They did not say which description fits the suspect they have positively identified.

One suspect is a 18-to-22 year old man with a medium-dark complexion, and 5 feet, 7 inches tall. He has a slim build, and was wearing a black wool beanie with strips.

The second suspect is a 20- to 25-year-old man with a heavy build and medium dark complexion. Police say he has a mustache and beard, is around 5 feet, 10 inches tall, and was wearing a black and white bandanna around his head. He was also wearing earrings.

The third suspect is 5 feet, 8 inches tall, with a beard and heavy build.

Second suspect identified in Bourbon Street shooting

Brandon Brown is wanted by the New Orleans police in connection with Saturday night's quadruple shooting on Bourbon Street. (Photo by New Orleans Police Department)

By Stephen Babcock, NOLA Media Group | The Times-Picayune
on February 11, 2013 at 8:28 PM, updated February 12, 2013 at 7:03 AM

New Orleans police have identified a second suspect in Saturday night's quadruple shooting on Bourbon Street. Brandon Brown, 22, of Marrero, is wanted in connection with the shooting.

Earlier today, New Orleans police arrested 23-year-old Deron Bridgewater in connection with the shooting, which occurred in the middle of Mardi Gras revelry. Police are also seeking a person of interest who may have information about the case, identified only as "Landon."

Deron Bridgewater, 23, of Marrero turned himself in to police on Monday after he saw himself on television, according to officer Frank Robertson III. He is "fully cooperating with detectives as this investigation is still ongoing," Robertson said.

The shooting erupted in the packed 400 block of Bourbon Street outside a strip club Saturday about 9:30 p.m., after two men and an 18-year-old man started arguing.

Bridgewater and two other men are believed to have been involved in an argument with the victim. After the shooting, four people were taken to the hospital; three have been released. The 18-year-old man, the intended victim of the shooting, remains hospitalized in stable condition, police said.

Bridgewater has no criminal history in Orleans Parish, police said.

Another person of interest who may also have critical information in the shooting is being sought by police. This man goes by the name of "Landon," police said.

The shooting occurred on a packed Bourbon Street amid Mardi Gras festivities. "Everyone immediately started running and the cops immediately started running toward where people were running from," said 21-year-old LSU student Patrick Clay.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of "Landon" or anyone who may have information about this shooting is urged to call Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111. NOPD Detective Michael Flores is in charge of the investigation.