A mass shooting occurred on the late evening of April 14, 2024, outside Republic NOLA, a popular nightclub located in the Warehouse District of New Orleans, Louisiana.
The violent incident resulted in one fatality and eleven people injured. The crime scene was on the 800 block of South Peters Street, an area often visited by locals and tourists for its vibrant nightlife.
The deceased victim has been identified as 24-year-old Jezreel Aquilla Poleate, a resident of Harvey.
An eyewitness recounted the harrowing scene, stating, “When I heard the shots, I ran to the bathroom and grabbed a couple of people who were with me and kinda got low.” The witness added, “We stayed until it settled, but nobody knew what was next or if there would be more shots. There was a lot of panic and a lot of chaos.” The eyewitness account paints a graphic picture of the fear and uncertainty that gripped those present during the attack.
Kelsey Holt, a visitor from Nashville, Tennessee who was staying at a nearby hotel, reported hearing six to seven gunshots. “I saw a crowd rushing out of the club,” Holt shared, also noting a woman lying on the street with people attempting to provide aid.
The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) stated that all victims were adults, comprising six females and five males. Emergency services transported some victims to local hospitals, while civilians assisted others. Post-incident investigations revealed four bullet holes in the nightclub’s padlocked doors and a parked car nearby that had been hit by gunfire.
Nick Thomas, the owner of Republic NOLA, clarified that the incident took place entirely outside his venue, and all his staff were unharmed. He expressed deep concern about the tragic event that unfolded outside his establishment.
U.S. Representative Troy Carter expressed his dismay over the tragic incident and called for immediate action on gun reform measures and violence reduction programs. “Too many lives have been lost,” he remarked, highlighting the urgent need to address the recurring violence in the community.
Friends remember Poleate as an outgoing and humorous individual. Her friends, Bria Smith, 22, and Mikia Gumms, 25, described her as a lively personality, always ready with a joke. A 2018 graduate of Helen Cox High School, Poleate held multiple jobs at the Caesars Superdome, the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, and recently, a local bar.
“She was wonderful to be around, full of life and spirit,” said Kinmont Garrett, a family friend, emphasizing Poleate’s strong family and church ties. Mikia Gumms revealed that two other friends were also injured in the Republic shooting that night.
Poleate’s family and friends are grieving her loss. “Jezreel was my only child, and she was incredibly loving, friendly, and stylish. She instantly made friends with anyone she met,” shared her mother, 64-year-old Sharon Poleate.
This incident marks the second fatal shooting in a bar or club in the city within two weeks. Just the previous week, a security guard was fatally shot at the entrance of Witt’s Inn in Mid-City.
Following the recent shooting, Democratic leaders have called for changes to gun laws. State Senator Royce Duplessis and City Council President Helena Moreno criticized the new concealed carry law passed by Louisiana’s Republican majority. Effective July 4, the law will allow residents aged 18 and above to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick and Mayor LaToya Cantrell voiced their opposition to the law, suggesting that New Orleans should be exempt. Kirkpatrick proposed establishing a “hospitality zone” that would be exempt from the law’s provisions.
State Representative Alonzo Knox, a Democrat, has introduced a bill proposing gun-free zones in areas such as the French Quarter, the Downtown Development District, and the Convention Center. Republican Senator Kirk Talbot’s bill, set to be discussed in committee, also addresses the issue, extending to sporting events. Existing laws already prohibit firearms in school zones and along parade routes.
Authorities are reviewing surveillance footage from Republic NOLA and nearby businesses. However, it’s unclear if the concealed carry law would have influenced this shooting’s outcome. Information about the shooter’s location, whether inside the club or on the street, has not been released.
Despite this incident, New Orleans has seen progress in reducing both fatal and non-fatal shootings over the past year. Jeff Asher of AH Datalytics reports that homicides have dropped by 40% compared to the previous year, exceeding the national decrease of 20%.
