A targeted shooting outside a revered civil rights landmark in New Orleans has left a teenager dead and three visiting bystanders wounded, prompting authorities to double a cash reward for information leading to an arrest.
Targeted Attack at Historic Venue
The incident occurred at approximately 8 p.m. on Friday, 16 January 2026, outside the Dooky Chase Restaurant on Orleans Avenue in the Tremé neighbourhood. According to the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), the 19-year-old victim, identified by his family as Kareem Harris, was being pursued by a gunman. In a desperate attempt to escape, he ran into the 85-year-old restaurant, a hallowed site from the civil rights movement, where he collapsed and was later declared dead.
NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick stressed that the attack was directed solely at Harris and not at the restaurant or its patrons. "The person who was the target simply ran into the restaurant where he collapsed," Kirkpatrick explained. "So unfortunately the perpetrator continued to shoot, so innocent bystanders who were patrons were actually hit, but they are in no way targets nor was this restaurant."
Tourists Caught in Crossfire
The three wounded bystanders were all women visiting New Orleans. Police reported that two remain in a critical condition, with one having undergone surgery, while a third is stable. They were situated in the restaurant's foyer, separated from the main dining area by a closed door, awaiting seating or a ride.
Superintendent Kirkpatrick expressed particular regret that the injured parties were visitors. "It is unfortunate that all of our victims, other than the decedent are visitors to our city," she said. "We’re so sorry for that because, that’s not who we are." Mayor Helena Moreno, who attended the scene, echoed that the restaurant itself was not the intended target, noting it had operated for 85 years without such an incident.
Landmark's Legacy and Police Appeal
Dooky Chase Restaurant holds profound historical significance. Beginning as a sandwich shop, it evolved into a crucial meeting place for civil rights leaders, musicians, and activists. In the 1960s, Martin Luther King Jr. and others used it for strategy sessions. It later hosted presidents including George W. Bush and Barack Obama. The late chef Leah Chase, the "Queen of Creole Cuisine," was celebrated for both her culinary and civil rights work until her death in 2019.
The suspect is described as an African American man in a black hooded sweatshirt. Investigators say he briefly left the scene before returning and then fleeing into the neighbourhood. Police possess surveillance footage and are urging residents to review their own recordings. In response, Crimestoppers has increased the reward for tips leading to an arrest from $2,500 to $5,000, as confirmed by President Darlene Cusanza.
As of Saturday afternoon, no arrests have been made. The investigation continues, with police appealing to the public for any information that could lead to the gunman's capture.
