DA Press Release- What did the government have to say?

Cannizzaro at his induction

Press Release- Leon Cannizzaro, Jr., District Attorney of New Orleans

Issued 12/28/06 (before charges were later dropped)

Source: City of New Orleans

Seven Police Officers Indicted for Shooting Deaths on Danziger Bridge

Today, on December 28, 2006, the Orleans Parish Special Grand Jury indicted seven New Orleans police officers for their involvement in the shooting deaths of two people and the critical wounding of four others on the Danziger Bridge, in the days following Hurricane Katrina. The shooting incident stemmed from reports of rescue workers hearing gunfire and reports of an officer being injured from gunfire while on the I-10 bridge over the Industrial Canal. Seventh District police officers Kenneth Bowen, Anthony Villavaso, Robert Gisevius, Robert Faulcon, Michael Hunter, Robert Barrios, and Ignatius Hills responded to the call. The officers encountered the Bartholomew family at the base of the Danziger Bridge and the Madison family near the top of the bridge. These officers shot and killed two people and critically wounded four people on September 4, 2005. Sergeant Kenneth Bowen was charged with one count of First Degree Murder of James Brissette and seven counts of Attempted First Degree Murder of Leonard Bartholomew III, Susan Bartholomew, Lesha Bartholomew, Jose Holmes, Jr., Lance Madison and Ronald Madison. Sergeant Robert Gisevius was charged with one count of First Degree Murder of James Brissette and two counts of Attempted First Degree Murder of Lance Madison and Ronald Madison. Officer Anthony Villavaso was charged with one count of First Degree Murder of James Brissette and four counts of Attempted First Degree Murder of Leonard Bartholomew III, Susan Bartholomew, Lesha Bartholomew, and Jose Holmes, Jr. Officer Robert Faulcon was charged with two counts of First Degree Murder of James Brissette and Ronald Madison as well as Attempted First Degree Murder of Leonard Bartholomew, Susan Bartholomew, Lesha Bartholomew and Jose Holmes, Jr. Officer Robert Barrios was charged with four counts of Attempted First Degree Murder of Leonard Bartholomew III, Susan Bartholomew, Lesha Bartholomew and Jose Holmes, Jr. Officer Michael Hunter was charged with two counts of Attempted First Degree Murder of Lance Madison and Ronald Madison. Officer Ignatius Hills was charged with one count of Attempted Second Degree Murder of Leonard Bartholomew IV. Following the shooting deaths by the New Orleans police officers, Lance Madison, whose brother Ronald was slain on the bridge, was arrested and charged with numerous offenses, including attempted murder. Today the Orleans Parish Special Grand Jury returned a no true bill as to Lance Madison, effectively refusing to indict Madison for any crime. Orleans Parish District Attorney Eddie J. Jordan Jr. said, “We cannot allow our police officers to shoot and kill our citizens without justification like rabid dogs. The rules governing the use of lethal force are not suspended during a state of emergency. Everyone, including police officers, must abide by the law of the land.” Eddie J. Jordan, New Orleans Parish District Attorney