Man shot outside Renaissance Hotel, NOLA police say | Crime/Police

According to the New Orleans Police Department, a man was killed in a targeted shooting outside the Renaissance Hotel on Sunday evening, prompting several bars and restaurants in the area to close early for the night.

At 6:39 p.m., police were called to the 700 block of Tchoupitoulas Street where they found a 24-year-old man injured by multiple gunshots. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene, police said.

Police did not immediately release further information and could not confirm whether the victim was associated with the hotel.

Investigators cordoned off Tchoupitoulas and Girod streets as they investigated the evening shooting. Some area businesses, including Lucy's Retired Surfer's Bar and Legacy Craft Kitchen Tavern, were closed the night after the shooting.

Daniel “Becket” Becnel, owner of Legacy Craft Kitchen, said his restaurant was filled with customers during the food rush when the gunman opened fire in a vehicle as he drove by, hitting several of the restaurant's front-facing glass windows. He said he counted at least five bullet holes in the windows of his building.

Becnel and his staff closed the kitchen for the night after the riot and aren't entirely sure when it will reopen.

Becnel said the shooting dampened the tourist-heavy area after it was overrun last weekend by thousands of Swifties who largely celebrated Taylor Swift's visit to the Crescent City without any problems.

“It’s just concerning after such a great weekend last weekend,” Becnel said. “That destroyed the good feeling from last weekend.”