NEW ORLEANS – Two shooting scenes near St. Charles Avenue parade routes have left three people injured, the New Orleans Police reported Tuesday.

The first shooting happened around 3:15 p.m. at St. Charles and Carondelet streets, the New Orleans Police Department said.

One man was shot in the head and is in critical condition, the other, a male juvenile, was shot in the leg according to Deputy Superintendent Paul Noel.

A second shooting happened Uptown near St. Charles and Second Street where a man was shot and rushed to the hospital. There was no immediate word on his condition.

John Simerman of the New Orleans Advocate reports that Supt. Michael Harrison said some people stepped in to try to break up a fight and shots were fired with one man being shot twice before being rushed to the hospital. His condition was unknown. In both instances, the parades, which were halted for a while, resumed after the scene was secured.

In the first shooting, Noel said 10-to-12 people got into an argument before the gunshots erupted.

Two witnesses said they heard five or six shots.

“It was pretty intense, to say the least,” said one witness, who declined to give his name. “It’s just real unfortunate it happened, especially during such a fun time.”

Another witness, who was visiting the city for Carnival season, said the shooting appeared to be among a group of young people.

“I’m kind of scared,” said Nawwal Smith, who said his family told him to be safe while he was in New Orleans. “Now we know exactly what they meant.”