A New Orleans housing authority police officer was shot and killed while sitting in a marked patrol car Sunday morning, according to police.
The 45-year-old Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO) officer was patrolling a construction site just blocks from the New Orleans Saints' stadium when he was fatally shot, according to a statement from the New Orleans Police Department.
Police were called to the scene at 7:10 a.m., and found the officer in his marked patrol car, which had rolled forward and hit a curb, according to the statement.
No arrests had been made in connection with the shooting, and police had not identified any suspects, New Orleans Police Department spokesman Garry Flot told NBC News on Sunday afternoon. The murder was under investigation, he said.
HANO said in a statement that they were cooperating with the New Orleans Police Department investigation and sending extra patrol officers to the area of the shooting.
"HANO mourns the loss of one of its valued and dedicated employees," the statement said.
"NOPD and HANO will work very closely to identify and arrest those responsible for this heinous assault. NOPD and HANO are part of the same close-knit law enforcement family that puts their lives on the line to protect and serve the people of New Orleans," said New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu. "The death of this HANO police officer is an unspeakable tragedy, and a vile and cowardly act," he said.
The officer, who has not yet been identified, has worked with HANO since 2013, according to police. HANO works to develop affordable housing for low-income New Orleans residents, according to the organization's website.
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— Elisha Fieldstadt
