MrJim911
08-05-2002, 02:33
NEW ORLEANS -- Three armed men robbed bar patrons then shot and killed a police officer as they fled early Sunday, police said.
Three man were arrested, and one other was being sought.
The gunmen robbed about a dozen people at Club Tango, in a low-income area 10 blocks northeast of the French Quarter, police said. A person inside the bar managed to call police at 3:23 a.m.
Five-year police veteran Christopher Russell, 35, was the first officer to arrive, along with trainee Mary Colon, who graduated from the police academy in May.
One gunman fired into their car, striking Russell in the head, police said.
"It was a policeman's worst nightmare. You pull up and people start shooting," said Sgt. Kevin Anderson, a department spokesman.
Police traced one suspect, Michael Davis, 31, to a nearby street. Suspects Dwight Patterson, 20, and Willie Wilbon, 35, were later found in a pickup truck.
All three men were booked on charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder and 16 counts of armed robbery.
Police were looking Sunday night for the fourth suspect, 29-year-old Ronald Armstrong.
Neighbor Jerome Riley described the dilapidated, hot-pink-painted bar as an all-night hangout with rhythm-and-blues playing into the morning.
"I looked out the window, and I saw police running everywhere," Riley said.
Police Chief Eddie Compass said Russell "paid the ultimate sacrifice for the peace of this city."
Three man were arrested, and one other was being sought.
The gunmen robbed about a dozen people at Club Tango, in a low-income area 10 blocks northeast of the French Quarter, police said. A person inside the bar managed to call police at 3:23 a.m.
Five-year police veteran Christopher Russell, 35, was the first officer to arrive, along with trainee Mary Colon, who graduated from the police academy in May.
One gunman fired into their car, striking Russell in the head, police said.
"It was a policeman's worst nightmare. You pull up and people start shooting," said Sgt. Kevin Anderson, a department spokesman.
Police traced one suspect, Michael Davis, 31, to a nearby street. Suspects Dwight Patterson, 20, and Willie Wilbon, 35, were later found in a pickup truck.
All three men were booked on charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder and 16 counts of armed robbery.
Police were looking Sunday night for the fourth suspect, 29-year-old Ronald Armstrong.
Neighbor Jerome Riley described the dilapidated, hot-pink-painted bar as an all-night hangout with rhythm-and-blues playing into the morning.
"I looked out the window, and I saw police running everywhere," Riley said.
Police Chief Eddie Compass said Russell "paid the ultimate sacrifice for the peace of this city."