An incident unfolded in the Vieux Carré this past weekend as a Chicago woman celebrating her birthday was shot and killed in New Orleans' storied French Quarter, according to the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office. Jessica Williams, 33, was identified as the fatal victim of a quadruple shooting that occurred on Bourbon Street on Sunday, NOLA.com reported.
The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) received reports of gunfire in the 100 block of Bourbon Street at about 2:22 a.m. Upon arrival, they discovered Williams and two other victims, all suffering from gunshot wounds, and a fourth victim, with a graze injury, was located a few blocks away. Williams was pronounced dead at the scene, NBC Chicago confirmed.
The shooting incident, which is still under investigation, reportedly began with a fight that escalated into a shootout. NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick detailed that the remaining victims were transported to local hospitals and are in stable condition. As of this morning, no suspects have been apprehended, though NOPD released photos of a suspect and persons of interest, as stated by NOLA.com.
Eyewitness reports from the scene describe the chaos. A local mother, known only as Jae, expressed her fears to WDSU: "I don't visit Bourbon. I don't eat on Bourbon. Don't go on Bourbon. It's always something on Bourbon." She described witnessing the aftermath of the shooting, including a traumatic encounter with Williams' sister who had also been shot. "Once we got out, we saw the victim's sister. She was shot in her back. Two police officers were walking with her. Once she got to Bourbon and Canal, she sorta collapsed," Jae recalled.
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