1 dead, 11 injured in mass shooting outside New Orleans nightclub

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - A woman is dead and 11 others were wounded in a mass shooting outside of a New Orleans nightclub.

Police confirmed the shooting happened Sunday (April 14) around 11:56 p.m. outside Republic NOLA in the 800 block of South Peters Street.

“This was a tragic incident,” New Orleans police Supt. Anne Kirkpatrick said at a Monday afternoon press conference.

The NOPD said officers found a woman fatally shot on the sidewalk and soon learned of 11 other gunshot victims. Police said six other women and five men also arrived to University Medical Center or Ochsner Medical Center’s West Bank campus seeking treatment for gunshot-related injuries.

The deceased victim’s mother identified her as 24-year-old Jezreel Aquilla Poleate.

“She was a great spirit. Lived at church, all about God,” said Poleate’s friend Amber Kelly. “It doesn’t feel real.”

A witness, who requested to remain unidentified, said she knew Poleate as a kind woman.

“She’s been a very loving, welcoming person. Anything that I needed from her, she was able to give me. Beautiful, always was smiling,” the witness said.

Police said Monday afternoon that the other 11 victims all were in stable condition or had already been treated and released.

“I just don’t understand the violence in New Orleans, and that’s really why I don’t visit often anymore,” Kelly, who lives in Gulfport now, said. “It’s getting ridiculous, there’s no reason for it.”

“She kept to herself. She never bothered anyone, she stayed out of the way, she handled her business and stayed to herself.”

Kelly described Poleate as a woman who would give any of her friends or family the shirt off her back.

“Respectful. Determined,” Kelly said when asked to describe Poleate. “She loved to work, if there were a way for her to make money, she had multiple jobs.”

“She was just at the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Police did not release any information on a possible motive or suspect.

“Because this is a very early investigation, we don’t want to give a lot of information,” Kirkpatrick said.

Crimestoppers Greater New Orleans president and CEO Darlene Cusanza said the organization was offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to a shooter’s arrest, and another $1,000 reward for each weapon linked to the mass shooting. Tipsters could call anonymously at (504) 822-1111.

“This cannot continue,” Cusanza said.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell agreed, saying, “Public safety remains our top priority and our officers are doing everything possible. ... We’re going to ensure we take every step to bring justice. This is not tolerated in the City of New Orleans, at all.”

The nightclub is situated in the middle of what would have been a bustling Warehouse District as the French Quarter Fest was winding down. Several hotels and bars are nearby. The convention center is two blocks away.

Nick Thomas, owner of Republic NOLA, said his staff is okay and that the shooting took place outside of the building.

According to a listing on EventBrite, Atlanta rapper Anycia was hosting an event called Church on Sundaze, a roving party night that occurs at multiple venues around New Orleans.

Bullet holes riddled the club’s door Monday morning and witnesses reported seeing large crowds gathered in front when the shots rang out.

“It sounded like someone was banging,” one witness recalled hearing from an 11th-floor room nearby. “Then we started hearing sirens and seeing people running down the street saying ‘she’s dead, she’s dead.’”

Those living nearby say the shooting is too close for comfort, but not surprising.

“It’s tragic. We were celebrating French Quarter Fest and I was thinking on the walk over here this woman probably thought she was going to have a good time here to wrap up French Quarter Fest. It’s just tragic,” said Philip Braun. “This is a really safe neighborhood but we’ve had trouble like this before so it doesn’t surprise me that the shooting was right here.”

One tourist says she’s not likely to return to New Orleans after being awakened by the sound of gunshots across the street from her hotel room.

“We’re staying in this hotel across the street and we were woken up around midnight or so to six or seven gunshots,” said Kelsey Holt, who was visiting New Orleans for the first time. “Went to the window, people were running and screaming. There was blood on the ground. it was just awful. It’s not the best picture of New Orleans, so I don’t if we’ll be coming back.”

Governor Jeff Landry posted on X that “this type of violence has no place in our state.”

“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 posted.

Lawmakers who represent the Warehouse District urged for changes to be made to recent legislation that will allow anybody over the age of 18 to carry concealed firearms without needing a permit.

“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,” said Congressman Troy Carter. “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.”

New Orleans Council Vice President Helena Moreno says the legislation will make enforcing gun laws more difficult for the NOPD.

“It has become increasingly clear that measures must be taken to ensure the safety and security of our communities,” said Rep. Alonzo Knox, who authored House Bill 498, which aims to establish firearm-free zones. “As predicted by state and local law enforcement, the implementation of permitless concealed carry has heightened concerns and challenges regarding public safety.

“With large numbers of residents and tourists frequenting these areas daily, it is imperative that we prioritize the establishment of a downtown gun-free zone to safeguard our constituents and visitors alike. Our city’s unique charm should not be overshadowed by the continued looming threat of violence.”

“Gun violence is still a serious threat to our public health and safety,” Sen. Royce Duplessis posted. “We must continue looking for lasting preventative solutions.”

While the law allowing permitless concealed carry in Louisiana to adults without a felony conviction doesn’t take effect until July 4, New Orleans leaders railed against it at Monday afternoon’s press conference.

“We should never have had a bill that passed for permitless carry, but they did it anyway,” Kirkpatrick said. “We would like to make an appeal -- not only for the French Quarter, I would like it for the whole city of New Orleans -- to be carved out.

“It is a unique culture here, but one that has been a magnet for gun violence. The ‘Hospitatlity Area’ -- from Carrollton to the River, all of the Warehouse District -- we need as broad of a gun-free zone as possible. Let’s not go backwards on gun violence. This bill not only puts us backwards but endangers every law enforcement officer out here. It’s not OK. It was not thought through.”

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