Originally published 12.30.08
(Blogger’s Note: Below is an excerpt of the latest cover story of The Final Call Newspaper that I wrote. For the entire story please pick up a copy!)
Demands for probe of White vigilante shootings in New Orleans enclave growing
Although blood was flowing out of a hole in his throat, Donnell Herrington did not yet comprehend what had just happened to him.
One minute he was attempting to flee storm-torn New Orleans through a predominately White neighborhood, the next minute he found himself the target of an onslaught of bullets at the hands of a White group of Algiers Point vigilantes who declared “open season†on Black people in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
“The White guy who shot me came out of nowhere because I didn’t see him initially. But I heard a loud blast and a bullet struck me so hard that it lifted me off my feet,†said Mr. Herrington to The Final Call via telephone on Dec. 29.
Mr. Herrington wants the criminals locked up for life and grassroots organizations are calling for federal, state and local investigations into his case and others who were reportedly victims of shootings. To date no arrests have been made.
“I saw blood running down my shoulder from my neck. My vision was blurred at that point and I thought I was going to die,†said Mr. Herrington, a 32-year-old Black male. “At times I get angry because I feel like these White boys got away with this when they shouldn’t have. On the real, if I would have had my gun on me at the time, it would have been a straight up shoot out. It would have been a different story.â€