Multiple people shot in Carrollton neighborhood
21 Nov 2008 | WWL-TV
Carrollton neighborhood rocked from spate of shootings
*11:22 PM CST on Friday, November 21, 2008*
*Susan Edwards / Eyewitness News*
Three murders from three shootings, in less than two days--just blocks apart. The violent upswing has a west Carrollton neighborhood in New Orleans on alert, and police hitting the streets.
The most recent shooting happened Friday in broad daylight, around 11:30 a.m., in the 1900 block of Cambronne Street, leaving one man dead, another injured.
Just a few blocks away, and a few hours later, Sam Matranga's home, and his neighbor's home, were both robbed.
"The house was ransacked, looking for money I guess," said Matranga Friday night.
He says the shootings, the break-ins, are terrifying and typical here. But, for the most part, he feels safe.
"People are being sought out, it's not random. It's more like, I'd hate to be at the wrong place at the wrong time," he said.
Residents here have endured three shootings that left behind 4 victims, in less than 48 hours.
Police confirm that those murders are primarily over drugs. Authorities have since flooded the neighborhood. They have made 18 narcotics arrests, and three gun arrests, but need the help of neighbors to solve the murders.
"It's hard when it is drug related, or a retaliation type shooting, because it sends fear to residents in the area. But if you stay silent, the cycle continues," said Darlene Cusanza, executive director of Crimestoppers.
Greg Rusovich, chairman of the New Orleans Crime Coalition, says criminals are becoming bolder on the New Orleans streets, and it is time to take action in every possible way.
"The message is this: fully fund the criminal justice system, give it the resources it needs, hold the NOPD and the DA's office accountable, get community policing implemented with neighborhoods, we need more recruitment of police and then we can make a dent in this with tough sentencing on violent criminals to protect the neighborhoods," he said.
If you have any information on the murders in the west Carrollton neighborhood, call Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111. You can remain anonymous, and could earn a monetary reward.
