Sixteen people were admitted to the hospital after a gunfight erupted between two groups at a New Orleans playground Sunday night. The incident took place at the Bunny Friend playground in the upper ninth ward, where approximately 500 people had gathered for an impromptu music video shoot and block party, according to the police, WWL reported.
The condition of all 16 victims, who were injured by direct gunshot wounds or graze wounds, is believed to be stable. The suspects involved in the shooting managed to escape, according to the police.
"At the end of the day it's really hard to police against a bunch of guys who decide to pull out guns and settle disputes with 300 people between them," Mayor Mitch Landrieu said at a press conference.
The mass shooting took place at approximately 6 p.m., when two groups opened fire at each other across the crowd, according to New Orleans Police Department spokesperson Garry Flot. Flot said it's possible that the shooting could be gang-related, according to The Washington Post.
Multiple police units were assisting with a parade taking place nearby when they found out about the block party and music video shoot. The police were headed to the the venue to break up the large gathering, which was being held without proper permission, when shots were fired.
"There were two groups that were firing shots back and forth at each other, and then ran off after each other on foot," said police spokesman Tyler Gamble, according to The New York Times.
Investigators are checking the neighborhood for CCTV camera footage of the incident and the gunmen involved in the shooting. Anyone with any information regarding the shootout is urged to come forward. "What we need more than anything else is for witnesses to come forward and tell us what they saw," NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison said.
No kids shot at Bunny Friend Park, but teenagers were. Still hearing 16 victims so far.
— Katie Moore (@katiecmoore) November 23, 2015
At least 10 people taken to hospitals by ambulance but the victim count could rise from shooting by multiple gunman in upper Ninth Ward. — Meg Farris (@megfarrisWWL) November 23, 2015
