By Abimbola Ogunnaike
United States police have arrested a suspect after a shooting incident left one person killed and four others injured in New Orleans.
The gunfire erupted late evening on Sunday, along the route of a popular parade which is held ahead of Mardi Gras Day, on February 21 — the last day of the Carnival season.
Chief Deputy Superintendent Hans Ganthier , who confirmed the incident, said it is unclear what led up to the shooting.
“We were able to find two weapons on scene and also apprehended what we believe to be a shooter. Whether he’s the sole shooter or not, we will determine through investigation,” Ganthier said.
According to him, the shooting injured a young girl, a woman and three men, including one who was later pronounced dead.
The other four victims are in stable condition, the police department said.
Mass shootings have emerged as a major public issue in the US in recent years, but there is bipartisan divide among politicans regarding gun control laws.
Last year saw almost double the number of mass shootings compared to 4 years ago. In 2022, death rates from firearms reached their highest level in three decades, reports said.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, a nonprofit that tracks shootings in the US, a total of 647 mass shootings were recorded in 2022, killing 44,287 people.
