Officers in the NOPD Eighth District Bourbon Street Promenade Unit arrested four individuals between September 16 and September 17, 2017 on illegal gun possession charges for incidents on Bourbon Street. 

• At approximately 2 a.m. on September 16, officers patrolling along Bourbon Street observed a subject, later identified as Eric Wadlington (DOB: 07-14-1974) walking in the 600 block of Bourbon Street. As Wadlington allegedly made eye contact with one of the officers, Wadlington reportedly grabbed and adjusted a bulge in his right front pants pocket. The officer recognized the shape of the bulge to be in the shape of a handgun. Officers conducted an investigatory stop on Wadlington and, during a search, discovered Wadlington to be in possession of a handgun in his pocket. Wadlington was arrested and booked acdordingly into the Orleans Parish Justice Center. A photo of Wadlington was not available.
• At approximately 4:25 a.m. on September 16, Eighth District officers patrolling in the 300 block of Bourbon Street observed a male subject later identified as Craig Neal (DOB: 04-10-1995), who was walking eastbound. As Neal walked past one of the officers, he reportedly bumped into the officer. At that time, the officer reportedly felt a hard object hit the handle of his plastic Taser, which caused a loud noise. At that time, officers noticed a set of black metal knuckles on Neal’s right hand. Officers then followed Neal to an area business, where Neal was seen adjusting his waistband. The officers approached Neal and conducted an investigatory stop. A pat down of Neal revealed Neal to be in possession of handgun in his pants pocket, as well as a knife attached to black metal knuckles, five white Tramadol pills and vegetative matter believed to be marijuana. Neal was arrested and booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center for illegal possession of a concealed firearm, illegal possession of a concealed knife attached to metal knuckles, illegal possession of Tramadol pills and possession of marijuana.

• At about 1:25 a.m. on September 17, Eighth District officers patrolling in the 600 block of Bourbon Street observed a male later identified as Zadarius Morgan (DOB: 02-14-1997) grasping at two large bulges in both pockets of his shorts. Officers noticed the shape of one of the bulges resembled that of a firearm. Officers conducted an investigatory stop on Morgan and, after a pat down search, discovered a firearm and firearm accessories illegally in Morgan’s possession as well as a small clear plastic containing vegetative matter believed to be marijuana. Morgan was arrested and booked accordingly into the Orleans Parish Justice Center.

• At about 4:08 a.m. on September 17, Eighth District officers patrolling in the 500 block of Bourbon Street responded to a medical call at the intersection of St. Louis and Bourbon streets. During the response, an officer observed a male subject later identified as Christopher Smith (DOB: 09-16-1989) as he walked in the area. Smith then reportedly increased his walking pace and grabbed at a bulge in this front right pocket. The officer recognized the bulge as resembling that of a firearm. Officers then conducted an investigatory stop of Smith, discovering a black handgun his front pocket. Smith was arrested and later booked accordingly into the Orleans Parish Justice Center.

Anyone with further information on these incidents can contact NOPD Eighth District detectives at 504-658-6080. Citizens with information that can help solve crimes are asked to call Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 1-877-903-STOP.