If you’ve ever walked down Bourbon Street during the 1:00 AM rush, you know the vibe. It’s a sensory overload of neon, jazz, and the sticky scent of spilled hurricanes. But for many, that vibrant energy is occasionally pierced by news of violence. People often search for where on Bourbon Street was the attack, usually referring to a handful of high-profile shootings that have reshaped how the French Quarter is policed.
Violence here isn't a single event. It’s a recurring concern that centers on specific intersections.
The reality is that "the attack" usually refers to the 2014 or 2016 mass shootings. These weren't tucked away in an alley. They happened right in the middle of the sidewalk, under the glow of the gas lamps, while thousands of people watched. If you're trying to pinpoint the exact locations, you have to look at the blocks between St. Ann and Iberville. That’s the "action" zone. It's where the crowds are thickest and, unfortunately, where friction usually turns into a headline.
The 2014 Shooting: The 700 Block of Bourbon
One of the most cited incidents occurred on June 29, 2014. If you're standing in front of Tropical Isle or the Old Absinthe House, you're right there. The shooting took place in the 700 block of Bourbon Street, near the intersection with St. Peter Street.
This wasn't some targeted hit. It was a chaotic exchange. Two men got into an argument—the kind of ego-driven nonsense that happens everywhere—but this time, guns were drawn. Nine people were shot. One victim, a young woman named Brittany Thomas who was just visiting from Mississippi, tragically lost her life.
The 700 block is basically the "Main Street" of the French Quarter. It’s where you find the most street performers and the densest pack of tourists. Seeing a crime scene happen there was a massive wake-up call for the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD). They realized that the sheer volume of people made it impossible to respond quickly to a "hot" situation without better surveillance.
The 2016 Incident: The 100 Block of Bourbon
Fast forward to November 2016. Bayou Classic weekend. This is usually one of the busiest times for the city, filled with alumni, students, and football fans. Around 1:30 AM, gunfire erupted in the 100 block of Bourbon Street, which is closer to Canal Street.
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This location is significant. The 100 block is the gateway. It’s where you first step off the streetcar and enter the chaos.
Ten people were wounded in this specific "attack." One man, Demontris Toliver, was killed. He was just a bystander, a 25-year-old tattoo artist who was out celebrating. When people ask where on Bourbon Street was the attack, they are often thinking of this specific tragedy because of the high number of victims. The shooting happened specifically between Iberville and Canal Streets.
This area is generally considered "safer" by some because it’s closer to the big hotels like the Astor Crowne Plaza and the Ritz-Carlton. But the 100 block actually has more "exit points," which makes it a frequent spot for quick escalations.
Understanding the Geography of Bourbon Street Safety
Bourbon Street is long, but the "Upper Bourbon" area—the first five blocks from Canal—is where the vast majority of incidents occur.
- The 100-300 Blocks: These are the high-traffic zones. You’ve got the big-name bars and the massive crowds. This is where the 2016 shooting occurred.
- The 700 Block: This is the heart of the Quarter. It’s home to the 2014 shooting.
- The 900 Block and Beyond: Generally, things get quieter here as you head toward the residential areas and the "Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop" end of the street. Violence is much rarer here.
It’s not just about the street itself. It’s the intersections. Bourbon and Orleans, Bourbon and St. Peter, and Bourbon and Iberville are the three "hot spots" that NOPD monitors with permanent SkyWatch towers. Honestly, if you see a tower with blinking lights, that’s where an incident has likely happened in the past.
Why Does It Keep Happening in the Same Spots?
You might wonder why the "attack" always seems to happen in the same three-block radius. It’s physics, basically.
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The sidewalk on Bourbon is incredibly narrow. When you jam 30,000 people into a space designed for horse-drawn carriages, tempers flare. Most of these "attacks" aren't premeditated terrorism or gang hits; they are "spontaneous escalations." Someone steps on a shoe. Someone spills a drink. In a city with high gun carry rates, those small slights turn into 9mm rounds.
New Orleans has tried everything to fix this. They installed "bollards" (those big metal posts) to keep cars out. They added dozens of high-definition cameras linked to the Real Time Crime Center. They even tried "lighting the street" better, which sounds simple but actually made a huge difference in the 100 block.
Recent Shifts and the 2022-2024 Context
If you are looking for a more recent "attack," there was a notable shooting in late 2021 in the 400 block of Bourbon Street. Again, five people were wounded. The pattern remains the same: late-night hours (usually between 1:00 AM and 4:00 AM) and crowded blocks.
However, it’s worth noting that crime stats on Bourbon Street have actually fluctuated wildly. After the 2016 shooting, the city flooded the zone with State Troopers. For a while, it worked. Then the pandemic hit, police staffing dropped, and things got shaky again. As of early 2026, the presence of the "State Police French Quarter Task Force" has significantly quieted the specific blocks where the 2014 and 2016 attacks occurred.
How to Stay Safe While Visiting
You shouldn't let the history of these locations scare you off a trip to NOLA. The French Quarter is a historic treasure, and Bourbon Street is a bucket-list experience. But you’ve gotta be smart.
First, stay aware of the "cross-streets." Most incidents happen at the corners. If you see a crowd starting to push or a loud argument brewing near a corner, just walk the other way. Don't stop to film it.
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Second, timing is everything. If you're on Bourbon Street at 8:00 PM, it’s a Disney-fied party. If you're there at 3:00 AM, the vibe shifts. The "attacks" almost exclusively happen in those "witching hours" when the bars are at their rowdiest.
Lastly, keep your eyes up. Tourists often walk with their heads in their phones or buried in a map. That makes you a target for petty crime, but it also means you aren't seeing the environmental cues that a situation is turning south.
Actionable Steps for Your New Orleans Trip
If you're planning a visit and want to avoid the areas with a history of violence:
- Stick to the 800-1100 blocks of Bourbon if you want a more relaxed experience. This is "Lower Bourbon," which is more local-heavy and generally experiences fewer major incidents.
- Utilize the "NOLA Ready" alerts. You can text "NOLAREADY" to 77295 to get real-time safety alerts sent to your phone while you're in the city.
- Walk on Royal Street. If Bourbon feels too crowded or "tense," Royal Street runs parallel just one block over. It’s better lit, has more high-end shops, and is significantly calmer at night.
- Locate the "Safe Zones." There is a 24/7 police substation at 710 Royal Street. If you ever feel unsafe on Bourbon, cut over to Royal and go to the station.
The question of where on Bourbon Street was the attack usually leads back to the 100 or 700 blocks. While these events are tragic, they have also forced the city to implement some of the most advanced urban surveillance and rapid-response tactics in the country. Knowledge is power—knowing where these things happened helps you navigate the street with a bit more "street smarts" and a lot more peace of mind.
Focus on the music, grab a po-boy, and just stay mindful of your surroundings after midnight. The Quarter is still the soul of the South, even with its complicated history.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
Check the current NOPD "French Quarter Task Force" map online to see where the highest density of patrols is located for your specific travel dates. Additionally, consider booking a "History of the Quarter" walking tour that takes place during daylight hours; these often provide deeper context into the architectural and social history of the very blocks mentioned above without the nighttime crowds.