Burglars startled by Michael Myers mannequin in passenger seat shoot at empty truck

NEW ORLEANS — “It was just crazy.” That’s how neighbors described a weekend shooting in New Orleans. 

Authorities said a group of people attempting to burglarize vehicles opened fire Saturday morning on a parked pickup truck after they were apparently startled by what they saw inside.

The owner of the vehicle, who asked not to be identified, said the alleged burglars were moving down the street Saturday morning and breaking into vehicles when they reached his Toyota pickup.

“These guys were coming down the street and going into vehicles. When they got to mine, they started opening the door, and they got scared,” he said.

They were startled by a mannequin sitting in the passenger seat, dressed in a Michael Myers mask that the owner placed there to deter would-be burglars.

“He jumped backward and started shooting. Then his two friends started shooting as well,” the owner said. “It was like 30-something rounds.”

Residents said they woke up to the sound of gunfire.

By the time the gunfire stopped, the truck had nearly 20 bullet holes. Police said two other vehicles were also struck. Bullets also hit the side of the victim’s home, right above where he and his wife were sleeping.

“There were like 9 mm and .40-caliber casings all over the street and the sidewalk,” the man said.

The shooting happened right across the street from Anna Hedstrom’s home.

“It was so many shots. It woke us up, and I was trying to convince myself it was fireworks or something, but it was just so many shots,” Hedstrom said. “It was obvious what it was.”

She called it a scary wake-up call that could have been a lot worse.

“The fact that he had a mannequin in his car to deter people from breaking into his car, but instead of just walking away, they just shoot at it that many times,” Hedstrom said. “It could have been him.”

The truck owner said he is reconsidering his strategy of using a mannequin dressed in a Michael Myers mask to keep burglars away  from his vehicle.

“Definitely not a good idea in hindsight,” he said.

No arrests have been made so far. According to New Orleans police, surveillance video shows the alleged shooters fleeing the scene in a silver Nissan Altima.