The NOPD quickly arrested a suspect in an incident that occurred today (October 30, 2020) at the intersection of Royal and St. Philip streets where two NOPD officers were fired upon, one of which was seriously injured.

At about 4:30 p.m., the two officers were patrolling the area, traveling southbound on Royal Street in a marked NOPD SUV. When the officers reached the intersection with St. Philip Street, an unknown male riding as a passenger in a pedicab heading riverbound in the intersection on St. Philip Street opened fire on the officers’ SUV. One of the officers was struck by the gunfire, sustaining a gunshot wound to the left cheek, while the second officers received minor abrasions to the arm. Both officers were transported to a local hospital by another NOPD unit responding to the scene. At the time of this writing, the officer struck by gunfire was in serious but stable condition and was responsive.

Additional responding officers located the suspect, who had fled the scene, near the intersection of St. Peter and Decatur streets. The suspect was arrested there without incident. A firearm was also located on the ground in the vicinity of the apprehension.

Identifying information and charges for the arrested suspect were not available as of this writing. The suspect was not injured in the incident. However, he was transported to a local hospital after suffering a possible medical episode at the time of his arrest.

No officers discharged any weapon or firearm during this incident.

The officer wounded by gunfire in this incident is a four-year veteran of the department, while the officer who suffered abrasions is a 16-year veteran of the department.

Superintendent Shaun Ferguson and Mayor LaToya Cantrell both met with the wounded officers at the hospital following this incident.

Ferguson commended his officers for their professionalism during this incident and members of the community who assisted officers in the immediate aftermath.

“A retired Army veteran with medical experience was working in a nearby store and helped with the medical treatment of our officers until fellow officers arrived at the scene,” Ferguson said. “We want to thank her, as well as citizens who helped to point out the perpetrator to officers responding to this scene.”

The NOPD Public Integrity Bureau’s Force Investigation Team is leading the investigation into this incident and can be reached at 504-658-6800 with any additional information.