re: Police make arrest in FQ attack

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Put a bullet in his head. Or better yet, tell him he's free. And then when he walking down the courthouse steps someone punch him full force in the back of the head, let him tumble down the courthouse steps, steal his wallet and phone and just leave him there.

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The "main attacker" in a brutal French Quarter robbery and beating has surrendered to New Orleans police, and officials urged three other suspects to do the same. Dejuan Paul, 21, a Kenner native who lives in New Orleans, turned himself in shortly after a Monday morning news conference (June 26) about the case, police said during an afternoon update outside of the Eighth District headquarters.

The Saturday night attack on two visitors from the Boston area involved four perpetrators and injured both victims, one critically, in the 200 block of Bienville Street. The victims were walking back to their hotel room when the attack occurred shortly before 9 p.m., Police Superintended Michael Harrison said. In surveillance video, one of the victims appears to get punched in the face and is left lying on the sidewalk as blood pools around him.

"We know who the others are," Harrison said after Paul surrendered. He added that "it's just a matter of time" before detectives obtain arrest warrants and track down the remaining three suspects.

"We advise you to turn yourselves in as well," Harrison said. "You do not want us to come get you."

Paul was booked at the Orleans Justice Center jail at about 6:30 p.m. with second-degree robbery and possession with intent to distribute false drugs, according to jail records.

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The victims have been identified as Tim Byrne and James Curran, both staff members with the Unitarian Universality Association, which was holding its national convention in New Orleans. Curran was treated for injuries and released, church spokeswoman Rachel Walden said. Byrne was in critical condition Monday morning but was said to be improving.

Harrison said police assured residents an arrest would be made shortly. "That's exactly what we've done," he said Monday afternoon.

Police did not release the names of the other suspects but said they range in age from 18 to their early 20s. They said investigators were still working to determine the relationships among the four.

The attackers not only injured two visitors but instilled widespread fright, Harrison said: "They put fear in a lot of people."

"If were you," he said, in remarks directed to the other suspects, "I would follow my friend's lead, and you should turn yourself in, as well."

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wonder what kind of "fake drugs"...

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Release the names. Let some street justice catch up to them

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