A quiet Friday morning at a New Orleans East bank turned violent when a man allegedly stabbed two people during an attempted robbery, police said. The attack was reported around 9:16 a.m. in the 5600 block of Read Boulevard in the Little Woods neighborhood, and officers moved in quickly, taking a suspect into custody in the bank's parking lot shortly afterward.
Suspect Grabbed Steps From Bank
According to NOLA.com, New Orleans police identified the suspect as 39-year-old Steven Shelby. Investigators said Shelby walked into the bank, stabbed two people before they could respond, then bolted outside. Officers intercepted him in the parking lot and took him into custody. Court records show Shelby was booked on counts of attempted armed robbery and second-degree battery.
Who Was Attacked Still Not Clear
NOLA.com reported that it was not clear whether the two people who were stabbed were employees or customers, and police had not released additional details on their conditions. Investigators stayed on scene while detectives tracked down and interviewed witnesses, according to the outlet.
Little Woods On Edge After Spring Crime
The case lands on top of a recent run of violent incidents in Little Woods this spring, including midday gunfire on a neighborhood street and a suspicious death that prompted increased patrols. Local reporting has highlighted residents' concerns and documented stepped-up police activity in the area.
Felony Counts And What Comes Next
Shelby faces attempted armed robbery and second-degree battery charges and was booked into Orleans Parish Prison, according to reports. Under state law, armed robbery and attempted armed robbery are treated as serious felonies that can carry lengthy prison sentences when a weapon is involved; the relevant provisions are outlined in the Louisiana Revised Statutes.
Court proceedings are pending, and booking details or a court date were not immediately available. Authorities have not released further information about the victims, and detectives continue to pursue leads provided by witnesses.
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