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Jan. 7th... 1973. The Howard Johnson Sniper
Posted on 1/7/22 at 4:07 pm
Posted on 1/7/22 at 4:07 pm
Just a reminder that it was on this date 49 years ago that a crazy heinous event happened in New Orleans.
Firemen responded to fire alarms at the Downtown Howard Johnson in New Orleans (now the downtown Holiday Inn).
But when they began to respond to the fires, a sniper began firing from the top of what was then the Howard Johnson’s Hotel on Loyola Avenue. Before that day was over he killed a total of nine people, including two hotel guests and five police officers. It was learned that he had also been responsible for two other murders that had begun outside the police department’s Central Lockup on New Year's Eve.
At first it seemed like there were several snipers. In the end it was one person, Mark Essex, who was ultimately felled by police sharpshooters in a Marine helicopter, and other police sharpshooters stationed on surrounding roofs (the body of Mark Essex was found riddled with over 200 rounds).
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Subsequent investigations would reveal that Essex, a native of Kansas who had become disillusioned while in the Navy and who had aligned himself with the Black Panthers, was out to kill white policemen.
His first victim, however, the one shot at Central Lockup, Alfred Harrell, was a young, unarmed black man in training as a police cadet.
Firemen responded to fire alarms at the Downtown Howard Johnson in New Orleans (now the downtown Holiday Inn).
But when they began to respond to the fires, a sniper began firing from the top of what was then the Howard Johnson’s Hotel on Loyola Avenue. Before that day was over he killed a total of nine people, including two hotel guests and five police officers. It was learned that he had also been responsible for two other murders that had begun outside the police department’s Central Lockup on New Year's Eve.
At first it seemed like there were several snipers. In the end it was one person, Mark Essex, who was ultimately felled by police sharpshooters in a Marine helicopter, and other police sharpshooters stationed on surrounding roofs (the body of Mark Essex was found riddled with over 200 rounds).
Subsequent investigations would reveal that Essex, a native of Kansas who had become disillusioned while in the Navy and who had aligned himself with the Black Panthers, was out to kill white policemen.
His first victim, however, the one shot at Central Lockup, Alfred Harrell, was a young, unarmed black man in training as a police cadet.
30
Posted on 1/7/22 at 4:08 pm to BRich
In New Orleans, there's a full wall mural/ alter to this murdering arse terrorist.
This post was edited on 1/7/22 at 4:14 pm
Posted on 1/7/22 at 4:10 pm to BRich
I highly recommend reading the book A Terrible Thunder on the incident.
Posted on 1/7/22 at 4:11 pm to DomincDecoco
quote:
New Orleans
quote:
mural/alter to this murdering arse terrorist
Because of course there is.
Posted on 1/7/22 at 4:12 pm to DomincDecoco
quote:
full wall mural/ alter to this murdering arse terrorist.
Posted on 1/7/22 at 4:13 pm to BRich
Interesting graffiti he did. Blelter Skelter.
Posted on 1/7/22 at 4:13 pm to Shexter
Did a Kindergarden class paint that?
Posted on 1/7/22 at 4:14 pm to Shexter
“Patriot Memery”, how appropriate.
Posted on 1/7/22 at 4:15 pm to DomincDecoco
this was my comeback to when people would talk about the liberty place monument
Posted on 1/7/22 at 4:16 pm to BRich
There will probably be a statue of Mark Essex erected in a US city one day, given the current political trajectory of the USA.
He wanted to kill racist cops, just like BLM and ANTIFA.
He wanted to kill racist cops, just like BLM and ANTIFA.
Posted on 1/7/22 at 4:18 pm to High C
Will this Anniversary make it as a reminder on NBC's Lester Holt News tonight?
Posted on 1/7/22 at 4:18 pm to DomincDecoco
quote:
In New Orleans, there's a full wall mural/ alter to this murdering arse terrorist.
49 years and no one has yet cared to change the spelling of “memery”
Posted on 1/7/22 at 4:19 pm to Shexter
"PATRIOT MEMERY"
Posted on 1/7/22 at 4:20 pm to BRich
I remember that. They interrupted afternoon programming and it scared the shite out of nearly 5 year old me.
Posted on 1/7/22 at 4:26 pm to Warheel
There is a great autobiography from a surgeon about Charity hospital… a chapter of it focuses on this event and how this POS was firing into Charity hospital and blowing out windows in the operating room when they were trying to perform surgeries.
Posted on 1/7/22 at 4:27 pm to BRich
NOPD - "The Case of the Missing Cigars" (1957)
New Orleans detectives investigate a seemingly routine robbery and end up on the trail of drug pushers.
I admit I'd never even heard of this very obscure TV series. Mostly an extremely unremarkable Dragnet imitation (frequent Dragnet guest Stacy Harris plays the lead), it was actually filmed on location in New Orleans. But that's not the most interesting thing about it. Not even close.
Harris's detective partner is played by one Louis Sirgo.
Several NOPD episodes were re-edited as a feature film called New Orleans After Dark. Louis Sirgo is second from right.
The nearly-forgotten Hollywood history of a New Orleans police hero
New Orleans detectives investigate a seemingly routine robbery and end up on the trail of drug pushers.
I admit I'd never even heard of this very obscure TV series. Mostly an extremely unremarkable Dragnet imitation (frequent Dragnet guest Stacy Harris plays the lead), it was actually filmed on location in New Orleans. But that's not the most interesting thing about it. Not even close.
Harris's detective partner is played by one Louis Sirgo.
Several NOPD episodes were re-edited as a feature film called New Orleans After Dark. Louis Sirgo is second from right.
The nearly-forgotten Hollywood history of a New Orleans police hero
quote:
In 1955, the year after the 50’s run of Dragnet ended, N.O.P.D. premiered. It starred Stacy Harris, a regular actor on Dragnet, as Detective Victor Beaujac. His partner was Detective John Conroy, played by an NOPD detective, Louis Sirgo. Billboard Magazine described the series as adopting a “documentary adventure approach to crime, based upon files of the [NOPD].”
“If this reminds anybody of Dragnet,” Billboard opined, “it should.” Producer-writer Frank Phares specifically cited Dragnet as being his inspiration for the series. Like Dragnet, the series strived for authenticity, with Billboard noting that N.O.P.D. was “the first major effort to be shot in New Orleans.” It was shot entirely on location; well-known local figures played themselves.
quote:Louis Sirgo
Louis Sirgo, on the other hand, returned to his day job with the NOPD, but retired in 1964 and became a clerk with Traffic Court. In 1970, he was appointed deputy superintendant of police by then Chief Clarence Giarrusso. Sirgo was outspoken, decrying poverty, “vindictive” justice, and “the greatest sin of American society — the status of the American Negro.”
Sirgo was murdered in the line of duty two years later during the race-fueled murder spree of Mark Essex. It began on New Year’s Eve of 1972, when Essex shot and killed NOPD Cadet Alfred Harrell Jr. and NOPD Sgt. Edwin Hosli, Sr. (his eldest son, Edwin Hosli, Jr., became an NOPD officer and has served as District Commander for the 2nd and 8th Districts).
A week later, Essex was subsequently found in a stolen car and chased into the Howard Johnson’s on Loyola Boulevard (presently the clarinet-emblazoned Holiday Inn). There, Essex continued his rampage, killing police and civilians indiscriminately as he stormed his way to the roof.
Sirgo was shot in a stairwell as he led an effort to rescue trapped officers. He was carried to safety and died shortly thereafter at Charity Hospital. The plaza in front of police headquarters is named in his memory.
Posted on 1/7/22 at 4:29 pm to BRich
frickin white mass shooters.
This looks like an average dorm room at Harvard, circa 2022.
This looks like an average dorm room at Harvard, circa 2022.
This post was edited on 1/7/22 at 4:31 pm
Posted on 1/7/22 at 4:37 pm to MrWalkingMan
quote:Holy shite. I don't know if that's funny or really sad and disturbing.
In New Orleans, there's a full wall mural/ alter to this murdering arse terrorist.
49 years and no one has yet cared to change the spelling of “memery”
Wow.
Posted on 1/7/22 at 4:41 pm to DomincDecoco
quote:
In New Orleans, there's a full wall mural/ alter to this murdering arse terrorist.
Unfricking believable. How has that thing survived?
Posted on 1/7/22 at 4:43 pm to blueboy
I remember it well. A very good friend of mine was one of the first police officers on the roof.
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