NEW ORLEANS — A woman from California is urging the shooter who injured her sister to surrender to authorities following a tragic incident at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant in Treme earlier this month. The 35-year-old victim was critically wounded in a shooting that also claimed the life of a young man and injured several others.
The sister shared that her sibling, visiting New Orleans with a friend, had just gotten up to attend to their table when a gunman opened fire inside the restaurant on January 16. The chaos left one person dead, 19-year-old Kareem Harris, and three women were injured, including the victim, whose name has not been released to protect her privacy.
“This has been devastating for our family,” the sister said. “We are all incredibly close, and it’s difficult to accept that one person’s actions can alter our lives so drastically. My sister now faces a long and uncertain recovery.”
Since the shooting, the victim has undergone at least three surgeries, including the removal of a kidney and part of her intestines. She also suffered broken bones in her arms and legs. The sister described a harrowing moment when she received a call from her injured sibling, who was inside an ambulance, alert but quickly deteriorating.
“Understanding the seriousness of her injuries was surreal,” she recalled. “It took time to come to terms with what was happening.”
After the shooting, the victim has been unable to consume solid food and has been heavily reliant on intravenous nutrients. “Her condition has left her feeling incredibly weak,” the sister said. “It’s hard to see her like this, but I’m grateful she’s still with us.”
The victim had always been active, enjoying workouts, yoga, and traveling. Recently, she had taken a cooking class where she had the opportunity to learn how to prepare jambalaya, a dish she was excited to try out on her return home.
With the perpetrator still at large, the sister has made a heartfelt appeal for the shooter to come forward. “I hope they realize the impact of their actions not just on my sister, but on our entire family,” she stated. “No one should have to endure this kind of suffering.”
She also encouraged anyone with information about the shooter to report it to the police, emphasizing the need for accountability in the tragic case. “This senseless violence has to stop,” she said. “We should not have to live in fear or grief over such acts.”