Suspect aged 19 named over Mother’s Day parade shootings

Officers said they were looking for Akein Scott, of New Orleans.

The mass shooting showed again how far the city has to go to shake a persistent culture of violence which belies the city’s festive image. Nearly 200 people were murdered there last year.

Angry residents said gun violence – which has flared at two other city celebrations this year – goes hand in hand with the city’s other deeply-rooted problems such as poverty and urban blight.

Ronald Lewis, whose house near the scene of the shooting contains a bullet hole from another incident last year, said: “The old people are scared to walk the streets. The children can’t even play outside.”

Three gunshot victims remain in a critical condition although their injuries are not life threatening. Most of the wounded have been released from hospital.