Hunt on for suspects in New Orleans playground shootout

NEW ORLEANS -- Police yesterday sought to determine what touched off a wild shootout in a crowd of hundreds of people at a New Orleans playground, where an evening of fun at a block party swiftly turned into a nightmare.

The shootout, combined with the recent shooting of a Good Samaritan who tried to help a woman who was being dragged toward a vehicle, put a city that has long struggled with violence on edge.

"No one feels safe," said Peter Scharf, a Louisiana State University professor who studies crime.

The Sunday night shootout happened as hundreds of people -- possibly as many as 500 -- gathered at the Bunny Friend Playground in what police described as a block party. A music video was also being filmed there. Police said neither event had a permit.

Officers were nearby overseeing a neighborhood parade when they received reports of a large crowd at the park. The shooting happened while they were on their way over to disperse the gathering. Two groups pulled out weapons and started firing, police said.

Local media reported a mad scramble as terrified people ran from the playground, leaving behind cellphones and IDs. The gunmen escaped.

Seventeen people were wounded, including 11 who were under the age of 21, authorities said yesterday.

Authorities asked witnesses or anyone with video of the incident to come forward.

Considering the number of people at the park, it's "pretty clear that people do know" who the shooters are, Mayor Mitch Landrieu told a news conference yesterday. "If you want to take back your community, you have to help us," said Landrieu, who likened the shooting to domestic terrorism.

Police Superintendent Michael Harrison said the shootout was probably gang-related. He said it's "highly possible" that the shooting was related to the city's heroin trade but authorities are still investigating.