An after party of a New Orleans second line parade ended in gunfire in New Orleans last night. According to reports, 16 people were wounded near Bunny Friend Park in the Crescent City's Ninth Ward.  The gathering near the park was an unpermitted event according to police. It was supposed to be an after party for the Nine Times Social Aid & Pleasure Club.

A police spokesman said that New Orleans Police had staffed the parade route and were blocks away from the park when the shooting occurred shortly after 6 PM.  Some reports suggest that an impromptu music video was being filmed at the location. Police were on their way to the park to shut the event down when the gunfire erupted.

Witnesses reported seeing a man with a machine gun running away from the crowd after the shooting. Some reports suggest that the shootings could have gang connections. New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu appealed to the public for help in identifying those who were involved in the shooting.

At the end of the day, it's really hard to police against a bunch of guys who decided to pull out guns and settle their disputes with 300 people in between them. It's not something you can tolerate in the city.

Landriue's comments were reported by NOLA.com and the Times Picayune newspaper.

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