Benefit for wounded NOPD officer

6/29/06 update: The event raised $50,000 for Gonzales. Donations accepted at any First Bank & Trust location.

There will be a benefit for NOPD officer Andreas Gonzales today:

New Orleans, LA – The New Orleans Police Department will hold a benefit at “Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World”, 233 Newton Street, in Algiers, Wednesday, June 28, 2006. The event, which kicks off at 7 p.m., is to assist Police Officer Andreas Gonzales, who was seriously injured in a shooting on May 22, 2006.

Officer Gonzales was shot four times by 21-year old Eddie Harrison III, a convicted felon, during a brief struggle after Harrison fled the scene of a traffic stop involving an acquaintance, 17-year old Joshua Hall.

Currently, Officer Gonzales is undergoing intense rehabilitation at Touro Hospital. He was partially paralyzed as a result of his injuries.

There will be food, music and a silent auction. Members of the NOPD are asking citizens and the business community for gift items to be auctioned at the event. Donations are also still being accepted at any First Bank and Trust location.

Tickets for this event are $25.00 and can be purchased at Blaine Kern’s and the following locations.