Man fatally shoots officer outside New Orleans HS basketball game after reportedly refusing to wear mask
New Orleans police investigate after the fatal shooting of a police officer at George Washington Carver High School, where a basketball game was being played, Friday, Feb. 26, 2021, in New Orleans. New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson told reporters that a man got into an altercation with a staff member after he tried to enter the school while the team was facing Warren Easton Charter High School. The officer went to intervene, and the man shot him in the chest, Ferguson said. The officer was taken to University Medical Center in New Orleans where he later died. (Photo: Max Becherer, AP)
NEW ORLEANS – A police officer working security at a high school basketball game in New Orleans was shot in the chest by a man who was denied entry into the game, authorities said.
The shooting came Friday evening after the accused gunman, identified as John Shallerhorn, refused to put on a mask while trying to enter the game at George Washington Carver High School, according to court documents reviewed by nola.com.
Shallerhorn, 35, got into an altercation with a staff member after he tried to enter the game, authorities said. The officer — later identified as Tulane University Police Cpl. Martinus Mitchum — went to intervene, and Shallerhorn shot him, police said.
Two loud bangs were captured on video shared by WGNO-TV as the high schoolers played. A photographer from WWL-TV also reported that the gunfire could be heard inside the gym.
The school was put on lockdown after the shooting, news outlets reported, and the game was ultimately called off.
Mitchum, who also was a deputy constable with the Second City Court, later died at a hospital.
Shallerhorn was arrested and charged with first-degree murder of a policeman. He’s also charged with armed robbery since he was accused of robbing a man at gunpoint in the parking lot prior to the shooting, WVUE-TV reported. It was unknown if he has an attorney who could speak on his behalf.
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Fallen officer Mitchum was a ‘fixture’ at school events
Tulane University Police Chief Kirk Bouyelas issued a statement Saturday in which he mourned Mitchum’s death.
“We are deeply saddened by the senseless and tragic death of TUPD Corporal Martinus Mitchum. Corporal Mitchum was a dedicated police professional who had a heart of service for the Tulane community,” Bouyelas said.
Bouyelas said they are providing support to Mitchum’s family and fellow officers.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and with all the fellow officers with whom he served,” he said.
New Orleans Police Chief Shaun Ferguson, center, updates the media on the investigation of a shooting at George Washington Carver High School where a law enforcement officer was fatally shot as a basketball game was being played in New Orleans, Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. (Photo: Max Becherer, AP)
The fallen officer had been “a fixture at Carver sporting events and parades” according to a statement from the high school. “All spectators, families, and players are safe — a testament (to) the officer, outside security support, school staff, and systems in place.”
The school also said it would offer resources to anyone in the Carver community who needed support in the wake of the shooting.
Just moments before Shallerhorn attempted to enter the school, authorities said he robbed a man at gunpoint in the parking lot. Police said a 39-year-old man was sitting inside his vehicle when he was approached by the suspect.
Shallerhorn raised his shirt and brandished a gun while demanding the victim’s medallion chain, police said. The victim complied.
Contributing: Jay Cannon, USA TODAY
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