A 19-year-old man opened fire near a popular all-female Mardi Gras parade, killing two people in the latest spate of violence to mar Carnival parties in New Orleans, police said.
John Hicks, of New Orleans, was booked today and accused of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder. He was also was charged with carrying a firearm on a parade route.
Police spokesman Frank Robertson said the shooting happened when Hicks started arguing with one of the slain men. Police didn't say what they were arguing about. They scheduled a news conference for today.
The shooting took place at about 10 pm yesterday on St. Charles Avenue on the edge of the city's museum and art districts.
In at least eight of the past 11 years, shootings have marred the city's Mardi Gras celebration.
