New Orleans, La. — A targeted shooting at Dooky Chase Restaurant on Friday evening left one man dead and three women injured, prompting an ongoing investigation by local authorities. Police were summoned to the popular eatery located in the 2300 block of Orleans Avenue around 8 p.m. and are treating the incident as a homicide.
The deceased victim, an adult male, was pronounced dead at the scene, while the three women were transported to a nearby hospital. Two of them are in critical condition, and one is reported to be stable. All surviving victims were visiting New Orleans, police indicated.
According to Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick, the shooting was aimed at a 26-year-old male who sought refuge inside the restaurant while being pursued. The assailant followed him into the establishment, continuing to fire, which resulted in the injuries to bystanders in the foyer area.
Authorities reported that the shooter fled the scene, returned briefly, and then left again. Surveillance footage has captured elements of the incident, and officials described the suspect as an African-American male clad in a black hoodie. As of now, he remains at large.
Local leaders expressed their shock at the violence that unfolded in the historically significant restaurant, known for its long-standing reputation in the community. Mayor Helena Moreno stated that Dooky Chase has served patrons for 85 years without a similar incident, emphasizing that the restaurant itself was not the intended target of the attack.
Investigators are working diligently to gather evidence and determine the motive behind the shooting. The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office will soon identify the deceased individual and announce the official cause of death after completing an autopsy and notifying next of kin.
Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the incident to reach out to Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans. Tips can be submitted via phone at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 1-877-903-STOP, and anonymous online submissions are also accepted.
As the investigation progresses, members of the community are left seeking answers and grieving the loss of life amid an event that shook a beloved local establishment.