superdome evacuation stopped because of gunfire, breaking news

[steve2470]

Gunfire disrupts Superdome evacuation

12:54 PM EDT on Thursday, September 1, 2005

By MARY FOSTER
Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS – The evacuation of the Superdome was temporarily disrupted Thursday after a shot was reported fired at a military helicopter. No injuries were immediately reported.


An air ambulance service official said that helicopter transfers of the sick and injured were suspended, but the National Guard said Thursday that able-bodied evacuees were still being moved by bus to Houston's Astrodome.

Authorities had said Wednesday that some 25,000 people who had been in the Superdome since Sunday would be taken to the Astrodome.

But with the disruptions, the scene at the Superdome became increasingly chaotic, with thousands of people rushing from nearby hotels and other buildings, hoping to climb onto the buses taking evacuees from the arena. Paramedics became increasingly alarmed by the sight of people with guns.

<snip>

edited for clarity of presentation


http://www.wwltv.com/sharedcontent/nationworld/katrina/stories/090105ccwcKatrinaCoptershot.14dc330e.html

[bushisanidiot]

1. Doesn't sound like a military helicopter.. they're used to gunfire..

why the hell can't the military get in there and evacuate the victims???? this is what we pay taxes for!! they are supposed to be working for US, not Iraq!!

[blm]

2. I call BULLSHIT. BFEE likely shot a gun to start their ULTIMATE POWERGRAB.

.

[raccoon]

4. I agree. nt

[Minstrel Boy]

3. They frisked evacuees, we were told.

So who's shooting?+

[SteppingRazor]

7. People still on the ground, of course.

Damn near everybody's got a gun there now, according to the couple of N.O. blogs that are up and running.

And I doubt anyone was necessarily shooting AT rescuers. All it would take is the sound of gunfire and they'd head out until things calmed down.

[sexybomber]

5. Why would someone shoot at a helicopter?

That makes no sense. THE HELICOPTER IS THERE TO HELP. Why would anyone in their right mind shoot at one? Unless the psychological trauma of the disaster made the person crazy...

[randr]

6. What happened to the thousands of troops reported to be at the site?

[SteppingRazor]

9. When was that reported?

I've heard thousands of NG throughout disaster sites, but I haven't heard there were thousands of troops at the convention center.

[randr]

10. Early this morning on CNN I heard them say that there were

up to 4000 or so troops at the Super Bowl.

[smurfygirl]

8. this story is bs

pure bs.

[Tyranny_R_US]

11. I didnt hear it on the online radio

and last night when they did have a shots fired incident they continued with evacs

[smurfygirl]

12. exactly

that is why this story is bs.

just a way for them to not admit the failure at headquarters level.