Witness says cab driver opened fire on woman in French Quarter

NEW ORLEANS, LA (WVUE) - A woman was shot in the French Quarter Sunday morning and witnesses tell police the gunman was a cab driver. People in the cab industry and tourists sound off, on whether cab drivers should be allowed to carry firearms.

New Orleans police say the shots were fired just before 5:00 a.m. Sunday in the 600 block of Decatur Street. The victim, a 41-year-old woman, was found by EMS at Royal and Bienville Streets suffering from two gunshot wounds.

Tourists hearing the news that a cab driver allegedly open fired on a woman in another vehicle are surprised to say the least.

"It is a little scary knowing that. In this system of things, it's hard to feel safe these days. You just gotta' be aware and alert," tourist Latoya Burrows said.

Donnie Baker adds, "It troubles me that a cab driver would have to have a gun to begin with."

New Orleans police are releasing few details about the shooting, including a motive. It happened just about a block from New Orleans Creole Cookery.

Manager Khater Salomon says, "It's a shame actually that we have to live in a crime infested area. No one should open fire on anyone."

Salomon says he's seen first hand, some cabbies are armed.

"One of the gentlemen that works for Yellow Cab Company carries a weapon on his hip, whether it's for protection or any other reason, he's very, very afraid of being invaded by someone who possibly could want to hold him up," Salomon explained.

N'awlins Cab owner Sheree Kerner points out, more cab drivers lose their lives while on the job, than NOPD officers. "That is a means to protect themselves but that's to be used a good way," Kerner says of having guns.

Kerner explains, she's fine with her drivers carrying guns, as long as it's done responsibly. "I think what happened here is the driver chose to use it in the wrong way."

It's an incident that not only changes two lives forever, but affects the people who visit the very busy stretch of Decatur Street, and the bottom line of nearby restaurants and businesses.

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