The NOPD is investigating an incident that occurred this evening (December 4, 2024) at the intersection of Basin and Saint Louis streets where an NOPD officer discharged their firearm toward a suspect.

At about 6:30 p.m., NOPD officers located a vehicle matching the description of a vehicle that had been reported stolen. Officers followed the vehicle, but at no time increased speed or activated lights and sirens to pursue. When the vehicle came to a stop at the intersection of Basin and Saint Louis streets, officers stopped behind the vehicle. The suspect vehicle then reportedly backed into the officers’ vehicle. At that time, an NOPD officer reportedly discharged their service weapon toward the vehicle. The suspect then drove away from the scene, at which time they were involved in a crash with a white Volkswagen SUV, causing damage to both vehicles before fleeing.

No injuries were reported in this incident. No arrests have been made as of this writing.

The suspect vehicle is described as a silver Hyundai Santa Fe with Georgia license plates. The vehicle would also have front-end body damage. No specific suspect description is currently available.

As an NOPD officer discharged their weapon during this incident, the NOPD Public Integrity Bureau’s Force Investigation Team will investigate that aspect.

The Federal Consent Decree Monitor and the Office of the Independent Police Monitor were both on the scene to oversee this investigation.

No further information is currently available.

Anyone with additional information that can assist in this ongoing investigation is urged to contact NOPD First District detectives at 504-658-6010 or NOPD Public Integrity Bureau Force Investigation Team detectives at 504-678-6800. Those wishing to report information anonymously can do so by calling Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 1-877-903-STOP.

Have a question or correction? Please email NOPD’s Public Affairs Division at nopdpio@nola.gov.