2 men, 1 woman killed after shooting at Louisiana gun shop
By: Bob D’Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
METAIRIE, La. — Three people were killed and at least two people were injured after a shooting at a Louisiana gun shop and range Saturday afternoon.
The deaths and injuries at the Jefferson Gun Outlet in Metairie were confirmed by Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joseph Lopinto, WDSU reported.
Coroner Gerry Cvitanovich said two men and a woman were killed, NOLA.com reported. He did not reveal their names.
“This is a developing scene. I will be brief on what I can give you at the time,” Lopinto said at a news conference. “We had one initial shooter at the scene, who hit two victims inside the location. Both of them have been pronounced deceased here at this location.
“It appears several individuals engaged the original suspect, whether inside the location or out here in the parking lot. We have a total of three deceased including the two that were inside. Out here on the scene itself, we have two additional that were hit by gunfire and were transported to University Hospital where I am told they are in stable condition at this point in time.”
Jefferson Gun Outlet’s website calls the business “the premier firearms outlet for the Greater New Orleans Area.” It has a 14-lane, 25-yard indoor firing range, NOLA.com reported.
According to WDSU, a man got into an argument with a clerk, who said he should not have a loaded gun until he entered the range area. Shots were fired after at least two customers at the range became involved, the television station reported.
Shots were fired at that point, officials said.
Dozens of officers converged on the shop at about 3:30 p.m. MT, NOLA.com reported.