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New Orleans police investigate mass shooting in Warehouse District

Witnesses say this happened close to The Republic on South Peters overnight.

New Orleans police investigate mass shooting in Warehouse District

Witnesses say this happened close to The Republic on South Peters overnight.

CASE. WDSU NEWS AT TEN STARTS RIGHT NOW. OH, THIS SCREEN ON A SCREEN. SCREEN. TONIGHT, THE FAMILY OF THE WOMAN WHO WAS KILLED IN A MASS SHOOTING SAYS THEY’RE STILL TRYING TO PROCESS THE LAST 22 HOURS OF THEIR LIVES. THE FAMILY TELLS WDSU 24 YEAR OLD JEZREEL POLLITT WAS JUST GOING OUT TO HAVE FUN WHEN SOMEONE OPENED FIRE AND KILLED HER OUTSIDE OF A NIGHTCLUB, ONLY ON SIX TONIGHT. WDSU REPORTER JONAH GILMORE SPOKE WITH THE FAMILY AND JONAH, HOW ARE THEY REMEMBERING JEZREEL? SALAGENA THE FAMILY TELLS ME THEY ARE REMEMBERING HER. JUST HOW SHE LIVED. THEY SAY SHE WAS FUN, LOVABLE, RESPECTFUL AND SAW THE GOOD IN OTHER PEOPLE. SHE HAD TOO MUCH LIFE IN HER. THERE’S NO WAY I EVER THOUGHT I WILL LOSE MY CHILD. THE FAMILY OF 24 YEAR OLD JEZREEL POLLITT, HOLDING TIGHT TO EACH OTHER MONDAY NIGHT WHILE TRYING TO PROCESS HER DEATH, SHUT DOWN NO SUNDAY POLIER WAS IN LINE AT REPUBLIC BAR, WAITING TO GET INSIDE WHEN SOMEONE STARTED SHOOTING, KILLING POLLITT AND INJURING 11 OTHERS. IT WAS LIKE A MOVIE WHEN THEY TOLD US THAT, YOU KNOW, WE WENT OUT TO THE TO THE CRIME SCENE. I DIDN’T KNOW I SEEN THIS ON TELEVISION. YOU KNOW, I’VE SEEN IT IN OTHER PEOPLE’S LIVES. I NEVER IMAGINED IT IN MY LIFE. LORD. NO, LORD, NOT. NOT WITH MY FAMILY. THE FAMILY SAYS THAT JEZREEL WAS THE ONLY DAUGHTER OF FORMER MAJORETTE THAT LOVED TO SING AND WAS A LOVER OF ALL THINGS MAKEUP. SHE’D BE SAYING, I’M GOING, MAMA. I’M GOING. BUT SHE WANTS YOU TO SAY SHE LOOKS GOOD. SHE WANTS YOU TO TELL HER NEW ORLEANS POLICE SUPERINTENDENT AND KIRKPATRICK SAYS THIS IS THE FIRST INCIDENT AT REPUBLIC SINCE 2022. SHE SAYS THEIR FOCUS IS ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND WORKING TO GET THE CITY’S GUN ISSUES UNDER CONTROL AND SENDING A STERN WARNING TO CRIMINALS LIKE TO PREVENT IT TO BEGIN WITH. THAT’S REALLY THE NUMBER ONE THING, IS TO PREVENT THE NEXT SHOOTING. BUT IF YOU DO ENGAGE IN SHOOTING, WE ARE GOING TO FIND WHO YOU ARE. WE ARE GOING TO PUT A WARRANT ON YOU, AND WE’RE GOING TO GO GET, YOU KNOW, PD SAYS THE VIOLENCE IN NEW ORLEANS IS DOWN. BUT FOR THE POLIER FAMILY, IT JUST HIT THEIR HOME AND HEARTS. I THOUGHT ABOUT WALKING MY DAUGHTER DOWN THE AISLE ONE DAY AND GIVING HER AWAY TO SOME YOUNG MAN. I GAVE HER AWAY, BUT IT WAS TO GOD AND I THANK HER FOR IT. WHILE THEY PREPARE TO LAY JEZREEL TO REST, THEY ARE HOLDING TO THEIR FAITH. LORD, WE LOVE YOU. GOD. WE THANK YOU AND TRUSTING ON GOD TO GUIDE THEM THROUGH THIS TIME. WE ALSO PRAY FOR THE PERPETRATORS. YES, LORD, WE KNOW THAT THEY, YOU KNOW, MAY HAVE MALICE IN THEIR HEART, BUT GOD IS ABLE TO CHANGE THAT. AND JONAH, SOME OF THE WITNESSES WHO SPOKE WITH WDSU TODAY, THEY EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT NOPD RESPONSE TIME. YEAH. SO WE KNOW YOU LOOKED INTO THIS. WHAT DID YOU FIND OUT, JONAH? WELL, NOPD TELLS ME AFTER CHECKING IN WITH DISPATCH, THEY RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION ABOUT NOPD’S RESPONSE TIME. I’M TOLD THE INITIAL CALL FOR SERVICE CAME IN AT 11:56 P.M. THE CALL WAS THEN DISPATCHED INTO PD AT 11:57 P.M. THE FIRST UNIT ARRIVED ON SCENE AT 12:01 A.M. THE FIRST EXCUSE ME, THE INCIDENT WAS CONFIRMED BY FIRST RESPONDERS AT 12:03 A.M. NOPD SAYS BASED ON THIS INFORMATION, NOPD WAS ON SCENE WITHIN FIVE MINUTES OF THE INITIAL CALL. A SPOKESPERSON FOR NOPD SAYS THEY CAN ONLY SPEAK ABOUT THEIR RESPONSE AND NOT OTHER AGENCIES. WE’
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New Orleans police investigate mass shooting in Warehouse District

Witnesses say this happened close to The Republic on South Peters overnight.

The New Orleans Police Department is investigating a mass shooting that happened outside a nightclub in the Warehouse District Sunday night. The shooting killed one woman and injured 11 others just before midnight. Family confirmed that Jezreel Poleate, 24 was shot and killed during the shooting.Those injured included six women and five men, according to police. The shooting happened in the 800 block of South Peters Street outside the nightclub Republic NOLA. At the time of the shooting, an event called Church on Sundaze was taking place inside the club, according to an Instagram story posted seven hours ago on the Church on Sundaze page. A witness inside the club at the time of the shooting described a chaotic scene when shots rang out. "When I heard the shots, I ran to the bathroom and grabbed a couple people who were with me and kind of got low," the witness said. "We stayed until it got settled, but nobody knew what was next or if there would be more shots. There was a lot of panic and a lot of chaos."There are several security cameras in the area where the shooting took place. This shooting comes just one week after a security guard was shot and killed outside of Wit's Inn bar. Councilman Joe Giarrusso and Council President Helena Moreno called for the NOPD to use the padlock ordinance, which would revoke the bar's liquor license and potentially shut the business down. The owner of the bar spoke exclusively with WDSU. He told WDSU that his bar had never had an incident prior to the shooting, and that the suspect sought in that incident was not a patron. He said he would work with city leaders on a solution, but as the only Black-owned bar owner in that block, he asked for fairness when it comes to using the ordinance. NOPD said the Wit's Inn's incident did not meet the standards for the padlock ordinance. The city said no incidents had happened at the bar that would warrant the use of the padlock ordinance. WDSU asked Councilwoman Lesli Harris if she would seek the padlock ordinance for Republic NOLA. She issued the following statement: “My office has been in touch with NOPD, and a full investigation into last night's shooting at Republic is underway. According to NOPD’s reports, eleven people were injured and there was one fatality. This marks a tragic ending to one of our city’s most celebratory weekends. I extend my deepest condolences to the victims’ families on this somber day," Harris said in an issued statement. WDSU also reached out to Council President Helena Moreno to see if she would call for the padlock ordinance against the club. She issued the following statement: “Last night’s mass shooting is incredibly tragic, and I have grave concern that we may see situations like this increase when the state’s concealed carry law goes into effect. This law will make it even more difficult for NOPD to takes guns off our streets in New Orleans and prevent shootings. I hope that legislation by Rep. Alonzo Knox (D) or Sen. Kirk Talbot (R) is approved so at least New Orleans will have some carve-out protections to ensure firearm enforcement in high-traffic areas. These two legislators demonstrate that there is bipartisan support for common-sense regulations. The victims of this shooting are in my prayers, and I have been in contact with Chief Kirkpatrick to ensure the perpetrator is swiftly arrested.” WDSU also reached out to the city's Permits and Licensing Department to see if there had been any citations or violations at the club in the last year. They issued the following statement:"The Department of Safety and Permits can confirm, the Republic NOLA, was previously flagged for late renewal in 2019. Then in 2022 the establishment was cited for Phase 2 COVID violations. In recent, There haven’t been any complaints against at Republic NOLA located at 828 N. Peters St.""The Department of Code Enforcement can confirm a 2023 flag back in 2023 was filed after a 311 complaint sighted significant graffiti on the Fulton Street side of the building. The Department of Code Enforcement has zero reported and no incidents of code violations for the following: Republic NOLA, 828 S. Peters St. New Orleans, LA 70130."WDSU reached out to the NOPD to see if any other shooting incident had been reported in that block in the past year. Gov. Jeff Landry issued the following statement regarding the shooting: "Sharon and I are praying for the victims and their families in this tragedy. We appreciate the first responders for their hard work. This type of violence has no place in our State," Landry said. Congressman Troy Carter also issued a statement regarding the shooting: "Last night’s mass shooting in New Orleans is a tragedy. It is heartbreaking to see gun violence devastate our city, our neighbors, and our loved ones. My prayers are with the victims and their loved ones. We urgently need common-sense gun reform measures and violence reduction programs in our community; too many lives have been lost. I will not stop fighting for change so that we can feel safe in the city we love."Police ask anyone with information on the shooting to call CrimeStoppers at 504-822-1111.

The New Orleans Police Department is investigating a mass shooting that happened outside a nightclub in the Warehouse District Sunday night.

The shooting killed one woman and injured 11 others just before midnight.

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Family confirmed that Jezreel Poleate, 24 was shot and killed during the shooting.

Those injured included six women and five men, according to police.

The shooting happened in the 800 block of South Peters Street outside the nightclub Republic NOLA.

At the time of the shooting, an event called Church on Sundaze was taking place inside the club, according to an Instagram story posted seven hours ago on the Church on Sundaze page.

A witness inside the club at the time of the shooting described a chaotic scene when shots rang out.

"When I heard the shots, I ran to the bathroom and grabbed a couple people who were with me and kind of got low," the witness said. "We stayed until it got settled, but nobody knew what was next or if there would be more shots. There was a lot of panic and a lot of chaos."

There are several security cameras in the area where the shooting took place.

This shooting comes just one week after a security guard was shot and killed outside of Wit's Inn bar.

Councilman Joe Giarrusso and Council President Helena Moreno called for the NOPD to use the padlock ordinance, which would revoke the bar's liquor license and potentially shut the business down.

The owner of the bar spoke exclusively with WDSU. He told WDSU that his bar had never had an incident prior to the shooting, and that the suspect sought in that incident was not a patron. He said he would work with city leaders on a solution, but as the only Black-owned bar owner in that block, he asked for fairness when it comes to using the ordinance.

NOPD said the Wit's Inn's incident did not meet the standards for the padlock ordinance. The city said no incidents had happened at the bar that would warrant the use of the padlock ordinance.

WDSU asked Councilwoman Lesli Harris if she would seek the padlock ordinance for Republic NOLA. She issued the following statement:

“My office has been in touch with NOPD, and a full investigation into last night's shooting at Republic is underway. According to NOPD’s reports, eleven people were injured and there was one fatality. This marks a tragic ending to one of our city’s most celebratory weekends. I extend my deepest condolences to the victims’ families on this somber day," Harris said in an issued statement.

WDSU also reached out to Council President Helena Moreno to see if she would call for the padlock ordinance against the club. She issued the following statement:

“Last night’s mass shooting is incredibly tragic, and I have grave concern that we may see situations like this increase when the state’s concealed carry law goes into effect. This law will make it even more difficult for NOPD to takes guns off our streets in New Orleans and prevent shootings. I hope that legislation by Rep. Alonzo Knox (D) or Sen. Kirk Talbot (R) is approved so at least New Orleans will have some carve-out protections to ensure firearm enforcement in high-traffic areas. These two legislators demonstrate that there is bipartisan support for common-sense regulations. The victims of this shooting are in my prayers, and I have been in contact with Chief Kirkpatrick to ensure the perpetrator is swiftly arrested.”

WDSU also reached out to the city's Permits and Licensing Department to see if there had been any citations or violations at the club in the last year. They issued the following statement:

"The Department of Safety and Permits can confirm, the Republic NOLA, was previously flagged for late renewal in 2019. Then in 2022 the establishment was cited for Phase 2 COVID violations. In recent, There haven’t been any complaints against at Republic NOLA located at 828 N. Peters St."

"The Department of Code Enforcement can confirm a 2023 flag back in 2023 was filed after a 311 complaint sighted significant graffiti on the Fulton Street side of the building. The Department of Code Enforcement has zero reported and no incidents of code violations for the following: Republic NOLA, 828 S. Peters St. New Orleans, LA 70130."

WDSU reached out to the NOPD to see if any other shooting incident had been reported in that block in the past year.

Gov. Jeff Landry issued the following statement regarding the shooting:

"Sharon and I are praying for the victims and their families in this tragedy. We appreciate the first responders for their hard work. This type of violence has no place in our State," Landry said.

Congressman Troy Carter also issued a statement regarding the shooting:

"Last night’s mass shooting in New Orleans is a tragedy. It is heartbreaking to see gun violence devastate our city, our neighbors, and our loved ones. My prayers are with the victims and their loved ones. We urgently need common-sense gun reform measures and violence reduction programs in our community; too many lives have been lost. I will not stop fighting for change so that we can feel safe in the city we love."

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Police ask anyone with information on the shooting to call CrimeStoppers at 504-822-1111.