At a Glance
- A 26-year-old man was fatally shot inside Dooky Chase Restaurant on Jan. 16
- Three female tourists were wounded, two critically, in the foyer
- The 85-year-old landmark had never before seen such violence
- Why it matters: Visitors and locals alike are now questioning safety at one of New Orleans’ most treasured dining institutions
A quiet Friday night at the celebrated Dooky Chase Restaurant turned deadly when an armed assailant chased a young man into the 85-year-old New Orleans landmark and opened fire, killing him and injuring three innocent patrons.
The Attack
At approximately 8 p.m. on Jan. 16, police rushed to the 2300 block of Orleans Avenue after receiving reports of gunfire inside the storied eatery. Officers arrived to find four people shot: a 26-year-old man and three women visiting from out of town.
“The man was declared dead at the scene,” the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) said in a Facebook release. “Two of the surviving victims remain in critical condition; one is stable.”
Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick told Fox 8 WVUE-TV that the shooter targeted the young man, who “ran into the restaurant where he collapsed.” The assailant followed, firing repeatedly and striking the female bystanders in the foyer.
After the initial burst, the gunman left-then doubled back before finally fleeing again. Detectives are treating the case as a homicide and have not publicly identified any suspects.
A Landmark Shaken
Dooky Chase, famed for its Creole cuisine and civil-rights history, has operated on the same corner for eight and a half decades without a comparable act of violence. The dining room where activists once planned protests and where tourists line up for gumbo became a crime scene in minutes.
Kirkpatrick confirmed that the wounded women were tourists, amplifying fears that the city’s reputation for hospitality could suffer. Investigators spent the night collecting shell casings, surveillance footage and witness statements.
Investigation Underway
The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office will release the deceased victim’s identity after an autopsy. Until then, police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Tips can be submitted to:
- NOPD Homicide Section detectives at 504-658-5300
- Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans at 504-822-1111 or toll-free 1-877-903-STOP
- Online at www.crimestoppersgno.org
News Of Los Angeles has requested additional comment from the NOPD.
Key Takeaways
- The targeted victim was a 26-year-old man; three tourists were collateral casualties
- The shooter remains at large after fleeing, returning, and fleeing again
- An 85-year absence of violence at Dooky Chase ended in seconds of gunfire
- Police emphasize the investigation is active and ongoing
