A man was killed and three bystanders were injured in a shooting in the foyer of the iconic Dooky Chase’s Restaurant in New Orleans, authorities said. The gunman remains at large.
The incident occurred shortly after 8 p.m. Friday, when a young man, the apparent target, was being chased and fired upon on the street, New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said. In an attempt to escape, he ran into the restaurant’s small foyer, which was crowded at the time.
“Because there was so much gunfire going on, three innocent bystanders were hit,” Kirkpatrick said. The three women who were shot were tourists waiting for tables. Two of them were friends visiting from Los Angeles, while the third was visiting from Florida.
One of the women from LA was struck more than five times and sustained severe injuries. She has undergone multiple surgeries in the trauma intensive care unit and, as of Monday, was reported to be recovering in the hospital with an expected stay of several weeks. The second woman from Los Angeles has also had surgery and is now in stable condition. The visitor from Florida suffered only graze wounds and was treated and released the same day.
Police are searching for the gunman, and Kirkpatrick noted that he may have been accompanied by others. Authorities described the shooting as apparently retaliatory, with the man who was killed being the intended target.
A $13,500 reward has been offered for information leading to the suspect’s arrest, Darlene Cusanza of Crimestoppers Greater New Orleans said. Kirkpatrick emphasized the importance of tips, reassuring the public that identities will remain confidential.
Dooky Chase’s Restaurant, a New Orleans institution for Creole cuisine for more than 80 years, has long served as a gathering place for politicians, civil rights leaders, and musicians. Former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush have visited, and Martin Luther King Jr. was a frequent patron. The shooting occurred over Martin Luther King Jr. weekend.
The Chase family released a statement saying, “Dooky Chase’s Restaurant has always been a place of gathering, culture, and care. We remain steadfast in our commitment to the people and community of New Orleans. As a family rooted in faith and community, we lift up in prayer all those impacted by this random and tragic incident.”
They added, “We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support for our guests, staff, family, and our historic restaurant during this difficult time.”
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