Friday nights in the Treme are usually about music and fried chicken. But this past Friday, January 16, 2026, the vibe at the legendary Dooky Chase Restaurant turned into something else entirely. It was chaotic. It was violent. And honestly, it’s the kind of thing that makes you want to stay inside.
Around 8:00 p.m., a 19-year-old man was running for his life. Someone was chasing him with a gun. He bolted toward the North Miro Street entrance of the restaurant, trying to find cover. He didn't make it. The gunman followed him right into the foyer and just kept shooting.
The Video Evidence NOPD is Using
If you’ve been searching for the new orleans shooting video, there’s a reason it’s trending. New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick confirmed that the entire incident was captured on video. This isn't just a grainy cell phone clip from a block away. We’re talking about high-definition footage from the restaurant’s security system and the city’s Real-Time Crime Center cameras.
Basically, the video shows a targeted hit that went horribly wrong for everyone else in the room.
The shooter was wearing a black hoodie. He didn't care that he was in one of the most famous restaurants in the world. He just kept firing at his target. The 19-year-old collapsed and died right there in the entryway. But the real tragedy? He wasn't the only one hit.
Bystanders Caught in the Foyer
People were just waiting for their Ubers or waiting for a table. You’ve probably been there—standing in a crowded foyer, checking your phone, hungry for dinner. Suddenly, the door bursts open and lead starts flying.
- Three innocent women were caught in the crossfire.
- Two of them are currently in critical condition.
- One is stable, but that doesn't mean she's "okay."
The only saving grace—if you can even call it that—was a closed interior door. That door separated the foyer from the main dining room. If that door had been open, the death toll could have been much higher.
Crimestoppers and the $5,000 Reward
The city is fed up. Darlene Cusanza, the head of Crime Stoppers GNO, just announced they are doubling the reward to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest. They are specifically asking people to upload any footage they might have. If you were driving by and your dashcam caught a guy in a black hoodie running, or if you were across the street at Willie Mae’s and saw something, they want it.
You can submit tips anonymously. Use the "CS GNO – Say It Here" app.
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Why This Hits Different
Look, New Orleans has a reputation. We all know that. But Dooky Chase is a landmark. It’s where Ray Charles sang and where Barack Obama ate. Seeing yellow tape across those doors feels like a gut punch to the city's soul.
The NOPD Homicide Section is leading the charge on this one. They’ve got the video. They’ve got the casings on the sidewalk. Now they just need a name.
What You Should Do Now
If you have any information or think you might have captured the suspect on your own device, don't wait.
- Check your dashcam or Ring footage if you live near the 2300 block of Orleans Avenue. Look for a male in a black hoodie around 8:00 p.m. on Friday, Jan 16.
- Contact NOPD Homicide at 504-658-5300 if you have a direct lead.
- Call Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 to stay anonymous and potentially claim that $5,000 reward.
Justice in this case depends on that video and the people who saw what happened before the cameras started rolling.