18 shot in New Orleans Mother’s Day parade (VIDEO)

GlobalPost
Updated on

At least 18 people, including two 10-year-olds, were shot during a Mother's Day second line parade in New Orleans today.

The shooting occurred at about 2 p.m. in the city's 7th Ward, according to police.

WDSU reported at least four people were in surgery by mid-afternoon at four different hospitals.

One of the 10-year-olds, a girl, suffered a minor graze wound. Information about the 10-year-old boy was not immediately available.

No one was in custody, although police believe three suspects were involved and that they used at least two different guns.

The FBI believes it was an act of street violence.

"Shots just started ringing out and everyone started running," an eyewitness told WDSU. "Next thing I hear, 10, 15 people got shot."

About 200 people were in the area at the time. It was not immediately clear what sparked the gunfire.

Shermaine Tyler, 32, told the Times-Picayune she was celebrating about a block away and ran outside when she heard the gunshots.

Once outside, a man shot in the hand, groin and pelvic area fell into her lap.

"This is all ridiculous. We all bleed the same blood. We all come from the same God," Tyler told the newspaper. "Everyone is getting shot, and for what?"

According to The Associated Press, second-line parades are loose, sometimes impromptu processions in which people dance down the street, often following behind a brass band.

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