WWNO skyline header graphic
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Local Newscast
Hear the latest from the WWNO/WRKF Newsroom.

Two Suspects In Mother’s Day Parade Shooting Apprehended

Akein Scott, the 19-year-old suspected of injuring 20 people by shooting into a crowd at a Mother’s Day second-line this past Sunday, was apprehended by the New Orleans Police Department’s SWAT unit Wednesday night in New Orleans East.

"Akein Scott is now in NOPD custody," police spokeswoman Remi Braden said in an e-mail to reporters. Braden said the suspect was arrested in the Little Woods section of New Orleans East.

A second suspect, Akein's brother Shawn Scott, is also in custody, according to Mayor Mitch Landrieu and NOPD Superintendent Ronal Serpas at a noon press conference held at the site of the shootings. Landrieu also said several others have been arrested as accessories and for harboring Scott.

Akein Scott was booked into Orleans Parish Prison at 2:56 a.m. Thursday morning with 20 counts of attempted second degree murder, according to the Orleans Parish Sheriff's docket master. He is being held on a $10 million bail order; $500,000 for each count of attempted murder.

Serpas said Akein Scott was picked up last night by the NOPD and the U.S. Marshal's Service. He said investigators learned four people were aware Scott was wanted by the police but didn't turn him in. All of those people have been charged with accessory to attempted second degree murder.

The four charged for harboring Akein Scott are: Justin Alexander, 19; Bionca Hickerson, 22; Nakia Youngblood, 32; and Brandy George, 28.

Shawn Scott, 24, has also been charged with 20 counts of attempted murder, according to Serpas. Cocaine and heroin were found in the house when he was arrested.

Serpas says the brothers are believed to be associated with the Frenchmen and Derbigny Boys Gang.

Landrieu said there is a strategy in place for shutting down gangs in New Orleans.

"We will not let up. The rules of the game have changed on the streets of New Orleans," he said. "We are demanding the shootings stop, and we will do anything in our power to protect the citizens of New Orleans."

"Our job right now is to make sure we have the very best case," to keep the Scott brothers off the streets, said District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro at the press conference.

Officials have identified a twentieth victim, which is why there are 20 counts of attempted murder.

WDSU.com has video of Akein Scott being arrested in New Orleans East:

WWL-TV has raw video of Scott being taken into custody at the Fifth District police station:

According to WDSU.com, the suspect has had numerous run-ins with the criminal justice system in the past:

Scott has two previous arrests, according to Sheriff's Office records. In February 2012, he was arrested and charged with illegal possession of a stolen firearm. In April of that year, the district attorney refused the charges. In March of this year, he was arrested and charged with resisting an officer, illegally carrying weapons, possession of heroin and illegal possession of stolen firearms and illegally carrying weapons with controlled dangerous substance. Based on court records, all the charges were refused, except for illegally carrying a weapon with a controlled dangerous substance. His bond was set at $15,000 on that charge.

This post will be updated with new information as it becomes available.

Jason Saul served as WWNO's Director of Digital Services. In 2017 he took a position at BirdNote, in Seattle.

👋 Looks like you could use more news. Sign up for our newsletters.

* indicates required
New Orleans Public Radio News
New Orleans Public Radio Info