NOPD Officer Involved Shooting on Claiborne Bridge Footage Released

Claiborne Avenue. Both vehicles were suspected of involvement in the earlier robbery. The officers initiated a traffic stop on the Claiborne Avenue Bridge, successfully apprehending three individuals from the Nissan without incident. However, the situation escalated when the driver of the Kia attempted to flee, striking multiple vehicles and injuring an officer in the process.

In response, three officers discharged their firearms, firing a total of 11 rounds at the fleeing vehicle. The driver, later identified as 20-year-old Jaquan Dominick, managed to escape the scene but was subsequently arrested on February 12. He now faces multiple charges, including two counts of attempted first-degree murder.

NOPD RELEASE BODY CAMERA FOOTAGE

In adherence to its critical incident recordings release policy, the NOPD made the body camera footage of the February 6 incident publicly available on February 17, 2025. The footage provides a detailed account of the events, capturing the moment officers approached the suspect vehicles and the subsequent attempt by the Kia driver to evade arrest. The video shows the Kia ramming into other vehicles and narrowly missing one officer before striking another, who sustained minor injuries. The release of this footage underscores the department’s commitment to transparency and allows the public to witness the challenges and split-second decisions faced by law enforcement officers during such high-stakes encounters.

OFFICERS INVOLVED AND INVESTIGATION

The officers who discharged their weapons during the incident were identified as Sergeant Louis Faust, a 25-year veteran of the force; Officer Markus Caldwell, with six years of service; and Officer Sean Booth, who has been with the department for two years. Following standard protocol, the NOPD’s Public Integrity Bureau’s Force Investigation Team launched a comprehensive review of the shooting to determine its adherence to departmental policies and procedures. As of the latest updates, the involved officers have returned to full duty, pending the outcome of the investigation. This process reflects the department’s dedication to accountability and the thorough examination of use-of-force incidents.

HISTORY OF OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTINGS IN NEW ORLEANS

Over the past 24 months, New Orleans has experienced several officer-involved shootings (OIS), each prompting internal investigations and public discourse. Notably, on October 10, 2024, officers responded to a residential burglary alarm in the 1200 block of State Street. Upon arrival, they encountered a suspect fleeing on foot. During the pursuit, an officer discharged his service weapon multiple times, resulting in the suspect sustaining a gunshot wound to the abdomen. The individual was subsequently transported to a local hospital for treatment. No officers were injured during this incident.

Another significant event occurred on January 1, 2025, when a tragic incident unfolded on Bourbon Street. A suspect, identified as Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, drove a pickup truck into a crowd, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. Following the vehicular assault, Jabbar engaged in a shootout with responding officers. Body camera footage later released showed the intense confrontation, with officers ultimately neutralizing the threat. This event underscored the unpredictable nature of law enforcement duties and the critical importance of rapid response in mitigating threats to public safety.

COMMUNITY RESPONSE AND MOVING FORWARD

Incidents involving officer-involved shootings invariably lead to heightened community concern and calls for transparency. The NOPD has consistently responded by releasing body camera footage and other pertinent information to the public in a timely manner. This approach aims to foster trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. As investigations proceed, the department remains committed to upholding justice and ensuring that all actions align with established legal and ethical standards. The ongoing dialogue between the NOPD and New Orleans residents is crucial in navigating the complexities surrounding use-of-force incidents and in working collaboratively towards a safer environment for all.

QUICK SUMMARY ON NOPD CLAIBORNE BRIDGE SHOOTING

NOPD Release Body Camera Footage – On February 6, 2025, the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) responded to an armed robbery in the 1300 block of France Road. Later that evening, officers spotted a blue Nissan Sentra and a white Kia sedan—both suspected in the crime—at the intersection of Poland Avenue and North Claiborne Avenue. Officers conducted a traffic stop on the Claiborne Bridge, successfully detaining three individuals from the Nissan. However, the driver of the Kia attempted to flee, hitting multiple vehicles and striking an officer, who sustained minor injuries. In response, three officers fired a total of 11 rounds at the fleeing vehicle, damaging its rear window. The suspect, 20-year-old Juquan Dominick, managed to escape but was later arrested on February 12 and charged with two counts of attempted murder.

On February 17, 2025, the NOPD released body camera footage of the incident, showing officers stopping the suspect vehicles, the Kia ramming other cars, and the moment an officer was struck. The officers involved were identified as Sergeant Louis Faust, a 25-year veteran, Officer Markus Caldwell, who has served six years, and Officer Sean Booth, with two years on the force. Following standard protocol, the department launched an internal investigation into the use of force. The officers have returned to full duty while the review is ongoing.

This shooting is part of a series of officer-involved shootings (OIS) in New Orleans over the past 24 months, including a police pursuit shooting in October 2024 and a New Year’s Day shootout on Bourbon Street. The NOPD’s decision to release bodycam footage aligns with its efforts to maintain transparency and accountability, ensuring public trust while investigating the justification of the officers’ actions.

NOPD Officer Involved Shooting, Shooting on Claiborne Bridge Footage Released, Bodycam Video of Claiborne Bridge Shooting, NOPD Release Body Camera Footage

NOPD Officer Involved Shooting, Shooting on Claiborne Bridge Footage Released, Bodycam Video of Claiborne Bridge Shooting, NOPD Release Body Camera Footage