NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Three people are dead after shots rang out in Mid-City New Orleans on Saturday, prompting a triple homicide investigation. On Friday, the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office identified the three victims, which included a 15-year-old boy.
According to the New Orleans Police Department, the shooting happened just before 10 p.m. in the 3300 block of Banks Street on Saturday (Jan. 7). We’re told three male victims were found dead outside the location.
The coroner later identified the three as:
- Ever Ramirez (Age 23)
- Anddy Francisco Ramirez Ambrocio (Age 27)
- Dwayne Boutain (Age 15)
Boutain had been listed as a runaway several times, including when he was 10.
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Neighbors in the area say not only did they see the shooting happen — they also had to take cover, fearing they may get caught in the crossfire. One of those neighbors is Jason Ricci.
He was outside smoking a cigar on his deck when the gunfire erupted.
“I hit the deck, on the ground, and the gunfire continued,” said Ricci.
The bullets hit Ricci’s home. He said he was worried someone may try to use his house as a defensive fort, so he ran to shut the front door. When he did, he looked outside to see what was going on.
“I saw them exchanging gunfire, closed the door because part of me still thought maybe it was fireworks even though I heard the bullets come through the house, I was in denial,” Ricci explained.
His home was left marked by the altercation. Bullet holes riddled his home. Had he been sitting in his usual spot, he fears he might’ve been hit.
“You can see right where the bullet would have gone through my back through my stomach and right there had I been sitting here,” said Ricci.
He moved to New Orleans in 2010 for music and says since then he’s seen a surge in crime.
While he says this is his home now, he’s not leaving but wouldn’t be shocked if other people do.
“This is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with one of the most incredible cultures and sometimes we got to take the good with the bad,” said Ricci. “Sometimes diamonds are born out of pressure. I have hope for the city.”
We’re told several nearby cars, homes, and businesses were struck by gunfire during the incident, including office hub The Station. Images taken of the facility show at least one bullet hole that entered through its front window.
The NOPD continues to investigate the triple homicide. Anyone with any other information is urged to contact the NOPD Homicide Detective Shondell Fields at 504-658-5300.