News Summary
A shooting incident in Algiers, New Orleans has left 9-year-old Leelani Brooks critically injured. Struck by a stray bullet while trying to protect her sibling, she is currently on life support. The community is rallying for her recovery as the investigation reveals a rise in neighborhood gun violence. Police have arrested 19-year-old Evans Rogers and are pursuing further leads in the case. Concerns for children’s safety in the area are growing as residents call for action against escalating violence.
New Orleans – A shooting incident in an Algiers neighborhood has left 9-year-old Leelani Brooks in critical condition as she fights for her life on life support. The shooting occurred on Monday afternoon while the young girl was playing outside near the intersection of Elizardi Boulevard and Lawrence Street.
Initial reports mistakenly identified Brooks as being 8 years old, but police later confirmed her correct age at 9. The tragic incident unfolded as gunfire erupted, compelling Brooks to seek safety indoors while attempting to protect her younger sibling. Unfortunately, she was shot in the head by a stray bullet that penetrated a window.
Authorities have recovered multiple shell casings from the crime scene, indicating that various firearms were used in the shooting. In connection with this incident, 19-year-old Evans Rogers has been arrested and faces charges of attempted second-degree murder and illegal use of weapons. Rogers was taken into custody at a motel on Terry Parkway following a standoff with law enforcement that lasted several hours.
The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) is currently investigating the incident and has revealed that more than one shooter was present at the scene. NOPD Captain Kevin Burns, Jr. indicated that those involved in the shooting appeared to have prior acquaintance with one another.
In the wake of the shooting, community members are rallying around Brooks and raising concerns regarding neighborhood safety, particularly for children. Local residents, including activist Mike Willis and community member Alfred Robinson, have voiced their apprehensions about rising violence as summer approaches. The incident transpired close to a park and a school, which has heightened the fears of residents regarding the safety of children playing in the area.
The NOPD encourages individuals with any information related to the incident to reach out to the Homicide Section detectives or contact Crimestoppers to assist in their ongoing investigation.
This shooting incident is part of a disturbing trend in New Orleans, where gun violence has been on the rise, prompting both local officials and residents to call for more robust strategies to address public safety concerns. As authorities continue to investigate, community members remain hopeful for Brooks’s recovery while emphasizing the need for changes to protect the city’s youth from further acts of violence.
As the investigation continues, the community remains vigilant, reinforcing the call for safety and justice as they support Leelani Brooks and her family during this challenging time.
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Additional Resources
- Fox 8 Live
- Wikipedia: Gun violence in the United States
- WWLTV
- Google Search: New Orleans shooting children
- NOLA
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Public Safety
- WDSU
- Google News: NOPD investigation
