16 shot in playground as gang turf war explodes

Gunfire erupted at Bunny Friend Park in New Orleans – where around 500 people were gathered – at 7pm local time.

Eyewitnesses claimed they saw a man with a silver machine gun and heard more gunshots as he ran away.

New Orleans' mayor Mitch Landrieu arrived at the scene of the shooting and later gave a press conference.

He said: "There are people in this city that continue to threaten the lives of innocent folk who are around and the community really have to stand up and demand that it's going to stop.
"We are going to prosecute them and we're going to put them in jail. We've got to stop it. It's just insane."

Superintendent Michael Harrison said: "Innocent people were shot here. This will not be tolerated and we are going to fight against this and bring these people to justice.

"If anyone has any information they should contact us or Crimetoppers. People know who did this."
Officers had been dispatched to break up the large crowd – so were on the scene within moments.
Some were at the park for the filming of a music video – while others were walking in a neighbourhood parade.

Local reporter Katie Moore tweeted: "No kids shot at Bunny Friend Park, but teenagers were."
She later tweeted: "Police now saying hundreds were in Bunny Friend Park for an unpermitted block party. All 16 gunshot injuries non-life threatening."

All of the shooting victims are reportedly in a stable condition.
The music video was being filmed at the park without permission, police spokesman Tyler Gamble said.