A 25-year-old man went on "a violent crime spree" on Sunday afternoon, sending New Orleans police to multiple crime scenes across the city and ultimately shooting five people, including a police officer, and injuring three others after a car chase ended in a Mid-City crash, NOPD said.
New Orleans Officer, 4 Other People Shot in Sunday Rampage
After that shooting, Harrison said, NOPD officers gave chase to Williams in the stolen car, following him through the city before Williams crashed a red Toyota Corolla on North Carrollton Avenue near Flowerdale Court. The crash damaged another vehicle, which was occupied by three people at the time.
NOPD Chief Michael Harrison said 25-year-old Charles Williams' violent spree began at about 4:25 p.m. in the 1900 block of St. Roch Avenue. There, Harrison said, Williams "fired multiple rounds" at people gathered on the porch of a home in that block, wounding three of them.
Then, Williams went to the 1400 block of N. Derbigny Street, Harrison said, where he shot a victim in the face. "That person is in surgery as we speak," Harrison said about 7:30 p.m.
From there, Williams went to the 1700 block of Desire Parkway, where he stole a car in an armed carjacking, before returning to the original scene on St. Roch Avenue. There, while NOPD officers were investigating, Williams opened fire, hitting one police officer, who suffered a "minor graze wound" to the chest, Harrison said. The officer, who was not identified, was being treated for the wound Sunday evening and is "in good condition," the chief said.
After that shooting, Harrison said, NOPD officers gave chase to Williams in the stolen car, following him through the city before Williams crashed a red Toyota Corolla on North Carrollton Avenue near Flowerdale Court. The crash damaged another vehicle, which was occupied by three people at the time.
Williams "exited his vehicle with his firearm," Harrison said, but dropped the gun when officers confronted him. He was taken into custody at the scene, NOLA.com reports.
More Patrol
From the Show Floor: Traka
Join POLICE as we visit with Steve Atkinson of Traka and learn about the company’s asset management cabinets and key lockers.
Read More →
Team Wendy Shares New DREW Data During Personal Armour Systems Symposium
Team Wendy shared data about DREW, a biofidelic helmet-test rig built to simulate real head-to-ground falls and capture both linear and rotational head motion, during the recent Personal Armour Systems Symposium in Belgium.
Read More →
2026 US Police and Fire Championships to Unite First Responders in San Diego for 59th Annual Event
The 2026 US Police and Fire Championships, featuring more than 35 Olympic-style events and new competitions, will return to San Diego, California.
Read More →
FOX News Channel’s FOX & Friends to Host Live Audience for National First Responders Day
In honor of National First Responders Day, FOX News Channel’s FOX & Friends will host a live audience made up of first responders and their families. Police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and other emergency personnel have been invited to attend the live program.
Read More →How One Police Department Cut Crime by 46% with Smarter Patrol Management
Discover how one police department cut crime nearly in half using smarter patrol data. This whitepaper breaks down the real-world strategy behind a 46% drop in vehicle thefts, improved officer safety, and stronger community visibility.
Read More →
Axon Ecosystem Advancements Connect Critical Moments of Public Safety Response
Last week, during IACP 2025, Axon unveiled what it called the next evolution of its connected public safety ecosystem. Key launches included Prepared by Axon, new Axon Assistant and Axon Air Drone as First Responder (DFR) capabilities, and Community Shield and Community Link.
Read More →When Do You Transport a Wounded Officer Instead of Waiting for EMS?
Thumbnail for video series POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips with a yellow headline that reads When Do You Transport a Wounded Officer Instead of Waiting for EMS?
Read More →
Is Your Duty Holster Duty Rated?
The first – and worst – time I had to fight to keep my gun, my holster and duty belt held up far better than my training did.
Read More →
Streamlight Releases the Ultra-Thin Wedge SL
Streamlight has launched the Wedge SL, an ultra-thin, USB-C rechargeable light designed for users who want pocketable power.
Read More →More IACP 2025 From the Show Floor
Watch expanded coverage of IACP 2025 as the POLICE Magazine team walks the aisles at the expo and shares what we found interesting on display for chiefs from across the country and around the world this week in Denver, Colorado.
Read More →
