On October 31, 2018, NOPD Eighth District Task Force officers arrested two suspects found in illegal possession of handguns.

 

At about 8:00 p.m., while patrolling in the 300 block of Bourbon Street, Eighth District Task Force officers observed a male subject walking while smoking a hand rolled cigar which emitted the distinct odor of marijuana. The officers stopped the subject – identified as Fredrick Shelby (DOB: 04-26-1999). During a pat down of the subject’s waist, officers felt the distinct outline of a firearm. The officers recovered a handgun containing live rounds of ammunition. Shelby did not have a concealed carry permit for the firearm. Officers arrested Shelby and transported him to the Orleans Parish Justice Center, where he was booked with illegal carrying of a weapon.

 

At about 11:45 p.m., while patrolling the intersection of Orleans Avenue and Bourbon Street, Eighth District Task Force officers observed a male subject walking with a shoulder sling bag. The officers noted the subject was clutching at his bag and performed multiple security taps on the bag as he passed two uniformed EMS personnel. Believing the subject may be carrying a concealed weapon or contraband, the officers stopped the subject, identified as Kawanta Singleton (pictured at right, DOB: 03-03-1995). During a pat down of the subject’s bag, the officers felt the distinct outline of a firearm. The officers recovered a handgun and an extended magazine containing live rounds of ammunition. Singleton did not have a concealed carry permit for the firearm. When the officers attempted to check if the firearm had been stolen, they discovered two of the weapon’s serial numbers had been obliterated. Using a third serial number, the officers discovered the weapon was reported stolen. A search incident to arrest also yielded approximately 7.9 grams of marijuana in Singleton’s bag. Singleton was arrested and booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center for illegal carrying of a weapon, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, possession of a stolen firearm and possession of marijuana.

 

Anyone with information on these incidents is asked to contact Eighth District detectives at 504-658-6080 or call anonymously to Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 1-877-903-STOP.