US police release photofits of garda shooting suspects

Police offer $2,500 for information leading to arrest of those involved in Brian Hanrahan shooting

The composite sketches of two suspects who police in New Orleans want to interview in connection with the shooting of Limerick-based garda Brian Hanrahan. Image: New Orleans Police Department

Police in New Orleans investigating the shooting of garda Brian Hanrahan in the city last week have released photofits of two alleged suspects they are keen to interview.

The Limerick-based garda was shot in the lower back and leg while socialising in New Orleans on January 27th.

Garda Hanrahan is recovering after undergoing surgery to remove a bullet from his lower spine.

His wife Emma Holland, his mother Rose, and father Brian Snr, have all travelled to New Orleans to be with him as he recovers.

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New Orleans Police have released colour composite sketches of two suspects, including the alleged gunman.

According to the police description, the gunman was a African-American male, aged in his late 30s or early 40s. The other suspect is also described as a African-American male, aged in his 30s, about 5 feet 8 inches in height.

Police say they believe this man had facial stubble at the time of the shooting which included some grey hairs, and he was wearing a grey ball cap.

Both suspects appear in the police photofits as having thin moustaches.

The New Orleans Police department has offered a reward of up to $2,500 (€2215.33) for information leading to the arrest of those involved in the shooting.

According to the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), officers attached to the city's Fifth District received a call about the shooting in the Seventh Ward at approximately 5.40am (local time), on January 27th.

“When officers arrived, they found the 30-year-old male victim lying in the driveway of a residence with multiple gunshot wounds to the body,” a New Orleans police statement said.

“The victim told police he met an unknown subject who brought him to the area after telling the victim that he knew of a place where they could get a drink.”

“The victim told police that he went to an ATM and withdrew $200. When they reached the location on New Orleans Street, the victim told police he encountered an unknown male who asked him for money.”

“When the victim refused, he told police that the suspect shot him and took his money. The suspects then fled on foot,” the police statement added.

Over $5,000 has been collected by local police departments and agencies to go towards travel costs and medical bills on behalf of the Hanrahan family.