NEW ORLEANS --Former NOPD Officer Michael Hunter pleaded guilty federal charges Wednesday, becoming the third officer to plead guilty in the brutal shooting that killed two people and wounded four others in the days following Hurricane Katrina.
And in his admission of guilt, we're learning for the first time the graphic details of what Hunter says happened on that fateful day.
On September 4, 2005, Officer Michael Hunter drove the budget rental truck full of NOPD officers to the Danziger Bridge, answering a call that officers on the bridge had taken fire.
He said in the court document known as a factual basis, he "saw in the distance a handful of people casually walking on the roadway."
Because the people on the bridge would not know they were cops, Hunter said he fired warning shots out of the window of the truck, and the civilians scattered for cover across a concrete barrier separating the roadway from a pedestrian walkway.
Hunter said the civilians "did not appear to have any weapons."
When the truck stopped, Hunter said Sergeant A, identified as Sergeant Kenneth Bowen, got out of the front seat and "fired an assault rifle down toward the civilians on the walkway." Hunter admits that he too got out of the truck and fired his handgun at the people running up the bridge.
At the same time, Hunter said Sergeant B, identified as Sergeant Robert Gisevius, came from the back of the truck and fired an assualt rifle at the same group.
Hunter said he shouted "cease fire." That's when he saw several civilians, who appeared to be "unarmed, injured and subdued." Then, without warning, Sergeant A, or Kenneth Bowen, "suddenly leaned over the concrete barrier, held out his assault rifle and, in a sweeping motion, fired repeatedly at the civilians lying wounded on the ground."
As the cops moved to the top of the bridge, Hunter said Sergeant Gisivius told him he'd been fired at. Hunter said he saw three black men running down the bridge, but they did not appear to have guns or to be a threat to the officers.
Two of those three included Lance Madison and his brother Ronald Madison.
As the officers' vehicle pulled to a stop, Hunter said Officer A, believed to be Robert Faulcon, "Without warning, fired a shotgun at Ronald Madison's back as Madison ran away."
Hunter said as Ronald Madison, a 40-year-old severely disabled man, lay dying on the pavement, Sergeant A, or Kenneth Bowen, ran down the bridge and began stomping on Ronald Madison.
According to Hunter, Bowen "appeared to be striking madison's torso with as much force as he could muster."
Afterwards, Hunter said Bowen approached him and apologized for being "out of line."
Hunter said later that day at the makeshift 7th District Police Station, he attended the first of several meetings to cover up a "bad shoot."
During this meeting, a lieutenant said something to the effect of, "we don't want this to look like a massacre."