New Orleans shootings: Nineteen wounded at Mother’s Day parade

New Orleans police officers investigate the scene at the intersection of Frenchmen and N. Villere Streets in New Orleans after gunfire at a Mother's Day second-line parade (AP)

Police in New Orleans were searching for at least two gunmen after a dozen people were wounded when shots were fired at a Mother’s Day parade.

Although there were no fatalities, police said that nineteen people were injured, including two ten-year-olds. Up to four people were in hospital.

More than 100 people were thought to have been participating in the residential festival, on Frenchmen Street, in the north of the city, when several shots were fired.

Police saw three suspects running from the scene. No arrests have been made.

The violence occurred at what's known as a second-line parade — a loose procession in which people dance down the street, often following behind a brass band. Described as moving block parties they can be impromptu or planned.

Police vowed to make swift arrests. "We'll get them. We have good resources in this neighbourhood," police superintendent Ronal Serpas said.