Three gun crimes have been reported this summer around the 3800 block of Annunciation Street, where a teenager was killed and another man wounded in a shooting Friday night.
A teenager was killed and another man was wounded Friday evening in a shooting in an Uptown block of Annunciation Street that has been a growing source of concern for neighbors, police said.
Two male victims were found on the sidewalk in the 3800 block of Annunciation with multiple gunshot wounds about 7:30 p.m., according to the New Orleans Police Department. The 17-year-old victim — identified as James Leon Wells by The Times-Picayune — was pronounced dead on the scene, and the 22-year-old is listed in stable condition after treatment at a local hospital, police said.
Last month, after a shooting and a separate gun arrest in June, a group of residents from that area complained to police about that precise location, the area of Annunciation around General Taylor and Peniston, complaining that large crowds congregate on the block for gambling and drug transactions, with weapons on display in plain sight.
“They’ve got guns,” said one neighbor at the July NONPACC meeting. “You’ll see them flash each other. It’s really a stressful situation.”
In the weeks that followed, Second District leadership assigned undercover officers to perform surveillance of the area. They saw the groups of men, but no illegal activity, Lt. Mike Montalbano said at the time, and no further incidents were reported there until a firearms call two weeks ago.
Anyone with information about this shooting should call Second District detectives at 658-6020, or to leave an anonymous tip that could be eligible for a cash reward, call CrimeStoppers at 822-1111.
“They saw the groups of men, but no illegal activity, Lt. Mike Montalbano said at the time”
I’m pretty sure being in possession of a handgun while under the age of 18 is still considered illegal activity. If NOPD could have found an excuse to pat down the “men” they would have found at least a half-dozen “men” with guns. Of course since they are all juveniles, nothing would have actually happened to them. Thanks to our antiquated laws, these thugs under the age of 18 have a license to do whatever they want with 0 repercussions (until they get shot, that is).
I agree these juveniles are getting away with to much. i say if a juvenile get caught with a fire arm he are she should suffer some type of punishment.
I live in this general vicinity. I too see the groups of thugs frequently, often scared to even drive by. I only walk the dog during the day or very early evening, and go to a gym for exercise! The police aren’t going to do a damn thing about these groups because they don’t care. And they are afraid to “harass” them for fear of being called racist. Political correctness is going to kill Uptown, unless you are rich enough to live in a gated community like Audubon place. Very sad.