NEWS: Evacuation of Superdome suspended after shots fired at helicopter

The evacuation of the Superdome in New Orleans has been suspended after a helicopeter assisting in the evacuation came under fire. A national guardsman has been slightly wounded and a spokesman said that the evacuation was to be postponed until the security of the staff could be guaranteed.



This is an appaling act of selfishness at a time when people are in danger and need help as soon as possible. Hopefully whichever moron was responsible for this will be caught and punished to the full extent of the law.

[edit on 1-9-2005 by Uncle Joe]

[edit on 1-9-2005 by Uncle Joe]

[edit on 1-9-2005 by Uncle Joe]

[edit on 1-9-2005 by Uncle Joe]

This shows what a thin veneer of civilization exists even in the most developed of nations. It's a sad but true fact that people exist who would do such evil things.

It's such a shame, people are losing their lives or just everything else and people are still acting like twats. Really, what're you going to gain by shooting at helicopters that're helping people? What are you going to do with a TV that you just looted when theres no power?

I heard some had AK47's. Is it the heat, frustration, desperation? There's absolutely no excuse, of course. I suppose some see it as the end for them.
I think its time to check them all to make sure they arent carrying weapons.

I dont think they are necessarily evil.

Shooting at rescue workers so you can continue looting is pretty evil in my book...

Related US Story here

I was working on the story while this was posted and wanted to wait for confirmation it did in fact take place since CNN and Fox are saying the shootings were unconfirmed.

Live reports on Fox right now say Rick Snyder on the USS Bataan, is still saying the shooting is not confirmed

[edit on 9/1/2005 by shots]

Fox news using New Orleans police as source say a guardsman or men were hit by shots at superdome....

How long until we see video of police and guardsmen firing in the other direction, and how long until we here the cries of brutality......


IMO it won't be long....

[edit on 9/1/05 by JacKatMtn]

Several Apache Helicopeters are now landing on the Superdome with up to 15 individuals off loading from each one believed to be military police.

I hope that they are transporting people in Blackhawks since Apaches only carry a pilot and gunner. I can see them sending a gunship escort though, next person who shoots at a helo is going to have a very bad day.

Whoever this person was, he/she is trying to entice a Riot...

Maybe that's the begining of Titor's wacko civil war...

I hope that they are transporting people in Blackhawks since Apaches only carry a pilot and gunner. I can see them sending a gunship escort though, next person who shoots at a helo is going to have a very bad day.

I agree.

More then likely the media did not know the differeance between the two but that is what they reported.

A cursory examination of sources through Google News seems to indicate that the situation is beginning to deteriorate. Although I am confident that many of the stories may be exaggerated, it would not surprise me to learn that a majority of them were accurate. The Houston Chronicle reports that "a supply truck carrying food, water and medical supplies was held up at gunpoint". It also states that, at the same hospital, "There are physical threats to safety from roving bands of armed individuals with weapons who are threatening the safety of the hospital".

Paramedics are reported to be "scared of people with guns at the Superdome", MSNBC reports. An affiliate of one of our news networks claimed that tensions within the Superdome were heightened due to tension between rival gangs. Has this been confirmed? My wife is a paramedic here in Australia and I cannot imagine what it must be like for the emergency relief personnel as they try to do their jobs under these conditions. My heart is with them and their loved ones. I hope for the best, although I would not be surprised to see a further deterioration of the already tense situation.

[edit on 1/9/05 by Jeremiah25]

They have dozens of volunteers who came with boats to go into the city to help, but have been told it's too dangerous to enter due to violent mobs...looks really bad.

According to the BBC site the air amublance operations are still on hold while those who can walk are still being evacuated by bus.

Here is the first story I found with details of the Guardsman being shot.
New Orleans evacuation delayed by shooting

A national guard soldier was shot and wounded yesterday in the Superdome Arena housing thousands of refugees in increasingly squalid conditions, said Kathleen Blanco, the Louisiana governor.

I guess human will never learn from past mistakes...

In time of crisis, I would assume these rival gangs would set aside their differences, and work together by not trying to do stupid things...

Now a report from reuters on the shooting......

UPDATE 2-New Orleans evacuation delayed by shooting, chaos

The helicopter incident was just part of the chaos that prompted New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin to order police to drop rescue operations to fight looting and other crime that gripped the city. A National Guard soldier was shot and wounded on Wednesday in the Superdome arena housing thousands of refugees in increasingly squalid conditions

More troops on the way....

Anyone who fires on a rescue worker or national guardsman should be shot on the spot. If you have no respect for the sitution and the people that are trying to help the folks still stuck in NO (i.e. not there by choice) and choose to behave like an animal, you should be put down like a rabid dog. There's no excuse. And what is their thought process, are they planning to live without power, fresh water or food in a toxic swampland. Maybe they've had a break with reality, God knows they've been through hell, but come on. That's just insane.

CNN is reporting that up to 60,000 people are trying to evacuate NO, and the numbers are still growing. They also confirmed both shootings.

He confirmed that a National Guardsman was shot and wounded on Wednesday and that there had been reports that a Chinook helicopter was shot at Thursday while trying to evacuate people.

www.cnn.com...

The situation sounds like it is deteriorating fast.

Also saw a report on FOX that showed approx. 20-25 volunteer rescue boats sitting idle since 6am because efforts to go in and continuing to find victims was halted when gunshots were fired at the boat operators.

It is indeed chaos, nothing short of a quick military action will enable these boats to restart their rescue efforts.


How many lives are jeopardized due to these godless thugs?........

I pray the stranded can hold on long enough....

SP:edit

[edit on 9/1/05 by JacKatMtn]