An elderly woman tragically died after being shot when gunfire broke out during a graduation ceremony at Xavier University in New Orleans.
Two men were also left with non-life-threatening injuries after the incident at the parking lot outside the Convocation Center venue.
New Orleans police said that at least three suspects who allegedly opened fire had been detained.
According to reports, two women were fighting in the parking lot when someone opened fire, leaving an elderly woman dead and two men injured. Several guns have been found at the scene but no arrests have been made yet.
One of the witnesses told WDSU that the victim was the grandmother of his friend.
“My friend’s grandma got shot, man. She got shot right there in the street like she was a dog or some s***,” the witness said.
Other witnesses told Fox 8 that an argument broke out following the graduation ceremony.
The witness who talked to WDSU said family members were taking photos at the parking lots when they noticed a group fighting, and about 5 to twelve gunshots were fired as a result.
“Then my cousin comes over and yells, ‘Run, run run, run. They about to start shooting.”
NOPD Deputy Supt. Christopher Goodley described the tragic incident as a ‘senseless act of violence,’ adding that the shooting was still under investigation.
New Orleans City Councilman J.P. Morrell took to Twitter and slammed the shooting, which occurred a week after the elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.
“This should’ve been one of the happiest days in these kids’ lives,” Morrell said. “Now all their hard work is being overshadowed by another senseless act of gun violence.”
The shooting comes twelve days after four people were shot at a high school graduation ceremony for Hammond High Magnet School students at Southeastern Louisiana University.
20-year-old Trent Thomas had opened fire and shot three bystanders. Another person was rushed to the hospital while running away from the shooting.
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