Man shot in the legs during robbery attempt on Spruce Street, police say

A man was shot while struggling with his assailant over a gun during an armed robbery attempt overnight on Spruce Street, New Orleans police said Thursday morning.

The victim, a man in his 20s, was walking home around 1:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, when he was confronted by an assailant near Spruce and Joliet streets, according to the initial NOPD report.

“The male advised the victim to give up everything, at which time the victim attempted to grab the gun and it went off,” the report states. “The suspect fled and the victim remained at the location until he was picked up by a passer-by and taken to a local hospital.”

The victim arrived at the hospital with gunshot wounds to both legs, said NOPD spokesman Aaron Looney.

Further details were not immediately available. Anyone with information is urged to call the NOPD Second District station at 658-6020 to speak to a detective, or CrimeStoppers at 822-1111 to leave an anonymous tip that could be eligible for a cash reward.