Story at a glance
- John Shallerhorn, 35 is charged with multiple felonies, including murder of a police officer.
- Shallerhorn got into an altercation with a George Washington Carver High School staff member who was checking temperatures and making sure people were wearing face coverings at a basketball game.
- The altercation prompted Tulane University police officer Martinus Mitchum to intervene. He was allegedly shot twice by Shallerhorn.
A Tulane University police officer was shot and killed Friday evening outside a high school basketball game in New Orleans after the accused gunman got into an altercation with a school staffer enforcing a mask mandate.
Nola.com reports John Shallerhorn, 35, was denied entry into the game at George Washington Carver High School Friday by a school staff member who was checking temperatures and making sure people were wearing face coverings to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
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Shallerhorn then reportedly began arguing with the employee and allegedly hit him in the face. The altercation prompted Tulane University police officer Martinus Mitchum, who was working security for the event, to intervene.
That’s when police say Shallerhorn pulled a gun and shot Mitchum twice. Mitchum, 38, was pronounced dead shortly after he was rushed to the hospital.
Shallerhorn reportedly laid his gun down on a nearby set of steps following the shooting and surrendered to deputies who were also at the school. He is charged with multiple felonies, including murder of a police officer.
Nola.com reports Shallerhorn is also accused of robbing a man for his medallion chain in the high school parking lot prior to the deadly shooting.
“We are deeply saddened by the senseless and tragic death of TUPD Corporal Martinus Mitchum. Corporal Mitchum was a dedicated police professional who had a heart of service for the Tulane community,” Tulane Police Chief Kirk Bouyelas said in a statement Saturday.
“We have reached out to his family and are providing support to his fellow officers during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and with all the fellow officers with whom he served.”
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