The NOPD is requesting assistance from citizens in helping to identify and locate an individual wanted in an aggravated assault that occurred on January 22, 2017 in the 2600 block of St. Claude Avenue.

At about 7:22 p.m., Fifth District officers responded to a call of an aggravated battery at Hank’s Supermarket, located at 2634 St. Claude Avenue. Upon arrival, the victim told officers that while working in the supermarket, a customer informed him that an unknown male was panhandling outside of the location. Upon exiting the store, the victim saw an unknown male in the parking lot and approached him, asking why he was there. The male then approached the victim, at which time the victim pushed the male away. The victim told police that twice, the male gestured that he had a gun in his pocket and threatened to shoot the victim. After pushing the subject away a second time, the victim found the subject did not have a gun. The subject then fled the scene, threatening to return.

The victim told police that about five minutes later, the subject returned and entered the store, pulling a pistol from his waistband and threatening the victim. The subject then allegedly racked the slide of the pistol, at which time a bullet ejected from the chamber. The victim told police he retreated to his office to obtain his own gun, at which time the subject fled the store in an unknown direction.

The subject is described as a black male with a low haircut, wearing a black Harley Davidson jacket. A photo of the subject is included with this release.

Anyone with information regarding this incident or the identity of the subject is asked to contact Fifth District detectives at 504-658-6050.

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.