New Orleans police officers ambushed, 1 shot in French Quarter by pedicab passenger

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Two New Orleans Police officers were ambushed in the city's French Quarter neighborhood Friday by a gunman riding a pedicab who shot one officer in the face, police said.

The officers were on vehicle patrol around 4:30 p.m. when they were fired upon by a male pedicab passenger, police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson said at the scene. One officer was shot in the left cheek, and the bullet lodged in his skull.

"They were just crossing through intersections going in different directions," Ferguson said. "This is a dark day for our officers."

The wounded officer was listed in serious but stable condition.

"He was able to walk into the hospital holding his cheek," Ferguson told reporters.

The other officer had minor abrasions to his arm from shards of glass. The officer who was shot has been with the police department four years and the other is a 16-year veteran.

Ferguson also thanked a retired Army veteran who helped treat the wounded officer before both officers were taken to a hospital.

The suspected gunman was taken into police custody with the help of witnesses who pointed the suspect out, officials said. He appeared to be "under some sort of medical condition," Ferguson said, and was taken to a hospital to be evaluated.

He had a holster, and a gun was recovered, authorities said. Witnesses said the police vehicle was at a stop sign when the gunman stood up in the pedicab and opened fire into the cruiser.

It was unknown how many shots were fired. The officers did not return fire.

“Our officers didn’t have any engagement with this individual,” Ferguson said.

Details about the suspect and the identities of the two officers were not revealed. Authorities are working to identify the suspect, who refused to give officers his name, Ferguson said.

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