NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans police have arrested a gunman who they say opened fire on a police officer during an attempted bank robbery.
Police said the shooting happened around 9 a.m. Tuesday outside a Whitney Bank branch.
Police spokesman Garry Flot said an off-duty police officer working a detail at the bank was notified and chased the man, who then fired one round at the officer. Flot said the officer was not struck and he did not return fire because people were in the area.
Flot says police responded to the area and a suspect was arrested shortly before 10 a.m.
The suspect was identified as Walter Russell, 53. Authorities said police found Russell's clothing, the gun allegedly used in the robbery and an unspecified amount of stolen money hidden under a nearby house.
He faces charges of armed robbery, attempted murder of a police officer and other offenses. He has an initial appearance scheduled Wednesday in federal court.
