Man fatally shot early Saturday on Bourbon Street, NOPD says

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - A man died after being shot early Saturday on Bourbon Street, New Orleans police said.

The department disclosed little information on the French Quarter shooting, other than to say the victim was “an adult male” who was shot once in the 600 block of Bourbon Street, near Toulouse Street, at approximately 4:07 a.m.

The victim’s identity and age were not disclosed by the NOPD.

Police said the man was taken for hospital treatment by a New Orleans EMS ambulance. The man died at the hospital, the NOPD announced at 8:16 a.m.

James Gates just moved to New Orleans this week and says he was out at a bar on St. Charles Avenue around the same time and was shocked to hear the news Saturday morning.

“I try to think about my location wherever I am, and whenever I’m walking solo, I try to keep my wits about me,” Gates said. “But I don’t know that there is a solution. I don’t go out much at night; last night was an exception.”

Business owners on Bourbon Street were left trying to clean up crime scene tape early Saturday before tourists began making their way through the Quarter.

“It’s really sad, but we have to do what we have to do,” said Amer Bader. “We’re really depending on the local government to take care of business.”

Bader is the new owner of the former Saints and Sinners bar on Bourbon Street. He says he’s bringing a new vision to the block.

“It’s going to be a very nice, inviting seafood restaurant, and we’re looking forward to changing the atmosphere,” he said.

But Bader said a Bourbon Street homicide isn’t the kind of message tourists should receive when they are in town.

“When people come down here to New Orleans, they come here to have a good time: Enjoy themselves, eat, drink and dance, and have a good time ... not to be shooting at each other,” Bader said. “This is sad, and this is senseless, actually.”

Bader says the French Quarter has been feeling safer since Gov. Jeff Landry designated a state police troop directly to New Orleans.

This past week alone, Troop NOLA says it made 10 fugitive arrests, three felony arrests related to illegal weapons, and took three illegal guns off the streets.

“They’ve been doing a hell of a job, and I wish they came a long time ago,” Bader said.

Police have not yet named a suspect in Saturday’s fatal shooting. Gates says he’ll take this as a reminder to stay alert.

“People that care about me and know that I’m moving down to New Orleans, it’s the first thing they say, besides what a great city it is,” Gates said. “The next thing they say is, ‘Be careful, no matter where you are.’”

Anyone with information on the fatal shooting is asked to contact the NOPD’s homicide section detectives at (504) 658-5300 or Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111.

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