Authorities have confirmed that two individuals lost their lives and 10 others sustained injuries from two unrelated shootings that took place on Sunday during a well-attended second-line parade in New Orleans.

The New Orleans Police Department is looking into two separate incidents, one involving a homicide and the other a shooting, which happened on Sunday afternoon close to the parade route. In total, 12 people were shot, leading to two fatalities, as reported by police.

“We are dealing with two distinct crime scenes,” stated New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick during a press briefing on Sunday evening. “The incidents took place 45 minutes apart from one another.”

The first shooting occurred around 3:40 p.m. local time in the St. Roch neighborhood, situated just northeast of the famous French Quarter, during the parade. Officers on the scene reported hearing gunfire and found eight individuals with gunshot wounds.

All eight victims were rushed to a nearby hospital, and a ninth victim later arrived there on their own, as per police reports. Kirkpatrick noted that initial investigations indicated that a vehicle and two firearms were involved in the incident, where shots were fired into the crowd.

Approximately 45 minutes later, authorities responded to another report of gunfire at a different location, where two victims were found. Emergency responders pronounced one of the victims dead at the scene, while the other was pronounced dead at the hospital.

A third individual was also reported to have been injured in this incident but was privately taken to a hospital and is currently in stable condition.

The police swiftly halted the second-line event as part of the ongoing investigation. According to the New Orleans Police Department, it remains uncertain if the two shootings were connected due to their time difference of 45 minutes.

No information regarding suspects has been disclosed, and no arrests have been made known as of Sunday evening.

New Orleans police have previous incidents at second-line parades

Kirkpatrick highlighted that the New Orleans Police Department has had prior issues with this specific second-line event. In 2013, gunfire during an informal Mother’s Day second-line parade resulted in injuries to 19 individuals and one person being trampled.

“This particular second line is one of the biggest in the city, attracting thousands of attendees,” Kirkpatrick remarked. “It’s a fantastic event, without a doubt.”

The Second Lines website indicates that second-line parades are cultural celebrations led by Social, Aid, and Pleasure Clubs in New Orleans. The first line consists of the parade’s main section and a brass band, while the second line comprises those who follow the band to dance and enjoy the music.

“Second Lining” is described as a dance style where participants move alongside the S.A.P.C. in a free-form, African-inspired manner. It represents one of the most culturally rich traditions within the United States,” as noted on the website.

(This story has been updated with new details.)