Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco said Monday she's sending National Guard troops to help patrol the streets of New Orleans after a request made by Mayor Ray Nagin following six weekend deaths in the storm-damaged city. Nagin made the request earlier Monday.Outraged New Orleans city leaders also called for state police help after a special meeting to address the killings in an area near the central business district. Detectives are knocking on doors and looking for anyone with information on the killings. Five teenagers were gunned down in a blaze of semiautomatic fire early Saturday. Police said drugs or revenge are possible motives in the teens' deaths. A was man was stabbed to death in an argument over beer on Sunday. Capt. John Bryson said police have no new leads to the killers, and are "begging citizens" who may have information to call Crimestoppers.
City Council members are promising swift action against violence as the city tries to repair itself after Hurricane Katrina. Councilman Oliver Thomas said rising crime could slow both residents' return home and the return of tourism -- the city's biggest business before the hurricane.
John Gagliano, chief investigator for the Orleans Parish coroner, identified the dead to The Times- Picayune newspaper as Reggie Dantzler, Iruan Taylor and Marquis Hunter, all 19 years old; 16-year-old Arsenio Hunter, and 17-year-old Warren Simoen, all of New Orleans. Bryson said none of the victims had any convictions, and police cannot comment on whether a victim had any other police record.
National Guard troops roll into New Orleans