NEW ORLEANS — A shooting at the renowned Dooky Chase’s Restaurant on Friday night left one teenager dead and three tourists injured, sending shockwaves through the historic dining establishment and its patrons. The gunfire erupted in a busy area of the restaurant around 10 p.m., prompting chaos among diners.
A Florida mother dining at the restaurant with her family described how they narrowly escaped a terrifying situation. As gunshots rang out, she and her 14-year-old daughter were quickly guided into the kitchen by restaurant staff, where they sheltered and waited for help. “It all happened so fast,” she recalled. “I heard the shots and just hit the floor.”
According to police, the gunman pursued 19-year-old Kareem Harris into the restaurant, where he fatally shot the young man. Harris’s sister, Kia Simmons, expressed her devastation over her brother’s violent death, insisting he had done nothing to deserve such an end.
In the immediate aftermath, two women from Los Angeles were reported in critical condition, with one sustaining five bullet wounds, while another woman from Lake Worth, Florida, suffered a graze wound. Witnesses praised the restaurant staff for their composed response during the crisis. “They kept checking on my daughter and praying for her,” the Florida mother remarked, highlighting their professionalism and care.
Authorities have not yet made any arrests or identified a suspect in the shooting, which remains under investigation. NOPD Deputy Superintendent Nicholas Gernon stated that while police have gathered some leads, they are still seeking additional information from the community. In response to the urgency of the situation, Crimestoppers has raised the reward for information leading to an arrest to $13,500.
As the shocking incident unfolds, the community remains on edge, grappling with the reality of violence in an establishment renowned for its rich cultural history. Dooky Chase’s has long been a staple in New Orleans, celebrated for its role in the civil rights movement and as a gathering place for locals and tourists alike.
The incident has left patrons and the restaurant staff shaken but determined to restore a sense of safety to the beloved venue. The need for heightened security and community vigilance is more pressing than ever, as local authorities work diligently to bring those responsible to justice.