LA: ATV Rider and Legal Gun Carrier (LGC) Stops Shooter after 3 wounded.

January 31, 2016


NEW ORLEANS—The NOPD has arrested a 30-year-old man who allegedly opened fire on a group of individuals at a gas station at the intersection of Claiborne and Esplanade Avenues this afternoon (Jan 31). Richard Macklin (DOB: 10-1-85), faces three counts of Aggravated Battery by Shooting and one count of Illegal Discharge of a Weapon for his involvement in the incident.

Around 3:24 p.m., NOPD First District Officers responded to a shooting with multiple victims. Upon arrival, officers learned four males had been struck by gunfire after an apparent argument at the location.

Based on the initial investigation, detectives learned that a group of individuals were driving ATVs and had arrived at the location to get gas. At that time, a man driving a white Volvo, later identified as Macklin, pulled up to the gas station where he and the group began to argue. Macklin then pulled out a weapon and fired several shots at the group, striking three males ages 30, 31 and 32. One of the victims then pulled out a weapon and returned fire, striking Macklin in the head. All four of the individuals who were shot were brought to the hospital where they are recovering from what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries.

At the same time, three other individuals who were driving ATVs in the group fled the scene toward the Seventh District. First District Officers, along with Seventh District officers, tracked down the trio and arrested them after a brief pursuit.

The arrested subjects are:
Jerome Richards (DOB: 11-2-90);
Corey Berry (DOB: 9-1-95); and
Charles Simon (DOB: 7-16-88)

All three were booked with Reckless Operation of a Vehicle and numerous traffic violations.

During the course of the investigation, detectives determined that Macklin was the aggressor in the incident. He will be booked once he is released from the hospital. The other individual who returned fire will not be booked in the shooting. At this time, detectives believe it was an act of self-defense. He was also carrying a legal weapon, that was registered to him and that he had a concealed carry permit to carry.

The incident happened while parades were rolling on the other side of the city. NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison said smart deployment and additional staffing in police districts helped police respond quickly.

"While we are managing parades, we are also giving great care to every single neighborhood in this city," said NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison. "We have strong staffing across the city to make sure that every neighborhood is safe and that we can respond quickly, which is evident by today's incident."

On-going effort to keep ATVs off the street

During the course of the investigation, detectives confiscated a total of five ATVs that were used in this incident. Chief Harrison stressed the importance of not driving ATVs on the street.

“These types of vehicles are not street-legal and no one should be driving them on our streets,” Chief Harrison said. “It’s not safe for those who drive them and it’s certainly not safe for everyone else around them.”

The NOPD First District is in charge of the on-going investigation and can be reached at 504-658-6010.


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