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Second Death at Local Nightclub
Authorities speculate that for the second time in a week, a shooting death at the Bourbon Street landmark Chris Owens Club may have been self-inflicted. "Once again," said police spokeswoman Jonette Williams, "we are leaning toward suicide." And, just as last week, New Orleans police are having trouble identifying the body.
It was an event uncannily similar to the shooting which occurred at the bar on December 11th. Patrons had been dancing to the house deejay when they heard the gunshot.
"We were here last week," said Megan Renault, formerly of Arabi. "Me and some of the girls I used to work with were celebrating my birthday. Then we heard 'pop!' and the next thing you know, everybody's running. I spilled my crown and seven. But we came back this week anyway, then the same damn thing happens again? Can't anything go right?"
"When I heard it, I was like 'goddam! Two weeks in a row," said Terrence Wilson, a bouncer at the bar. "Just like last time, it was early evening. The club was about half-full, a couple of girls dancing and whatnot. I didn't notice the guy sitting there by himself, sitting on the same damn couch. I'm trying to get this Mexican girl's phone number, and the next thing you know, Pow!"
When asked to comment, NOPD spokesman Virgil Melancon said that while the body had yet to be conclusively identified, there were several clues. "He was a white male, forties to fifties. He had no identification, but when officers arrived they found a pistol in his right hand, a note in his left, and an I-pod containing a single track."
According to Melancon, the note read '[expletive deleted] This".
When questioned, said Melancon, none of the patrons could identify the body. "We have no motive, but as they say, 'Tis the season."
Any one with information regarding the victim should call CRIMESTOPPERS at (504)-522-1111.
As of press time, Chris Owens could not be reached for comment.
For the second time in a week, an apparent suicide at Chris Owens club on Bourbon Street.
For many of rabbi Ari Meshkel's congregation, this year's hanukkah celebration will be a little dark. Meshkel, who head's Versaille's Synagogue B'nai Israel in this suburb of Chalmette, has decided to cancel the celebration.
In a call made from a cell-phone in his temple office, which has remained without power since Hurricane Katrina, Rabbi Meshkel said there were several reasons he decided to cancel the holiday which many call "the Jewish Christmas."
"First of all," said Meshkel, "this was not a very big congregation, even before the storm." Versailles, according to the rabbi, is a mostly Vietnamese community bordering Chalmette and Meraux. "While I know and love my neighbors, I don't think that there will be much of a congregation for the berakhot. For the Catholics, the party starts on Christmas Eve. And the buddhists are an even worse draw."
Meshkel continued. "Second, I don't even have any power yet. And what with fuel prices where they are, it'd cost a fortune this year. And thirdly, it's not even a high holy day. Like everybody else, I'm waiting on the FEMA floodmap. Check with me for Passover."
When asked what his plans for the holiday were, Meshkel said "I'm not shtuping around out here by myself. I'm going to Boca."
Local rabbi Ari Meshkel says he won't light the menorah this year.
"I'm not shtuping around out here by myself. I'm going to Boca."
"I wanted to make sure the children of New Orleans knew Sean Penn was thinking about them," said Penn, star of 1982's Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Penn and Taibbi plan to give presents to local children. "If you know anything about his career, getting Taibbi into a Santa costume was no problem." A few minutes later, Penn asked "Have you seen any children?"
Penn and Taibi will be available at from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. at 121 Audobon Place until December 24th.
