[Charles Martel]

Yes, the carbines were brought to the scene once Essex holed-up in that building - I'm not sure if they were in NOPD inventory or if that was part of the assistance that the city received from nearby Belle Chasse Naval Air Station. Watching it unfold on TV, all that was shown were cops crouching behind cover and holding revolvers.

Around ten years ago (the 30th anniversary of the incident), a book was published about this. From comments I've seen, it paints Essex as a victim and a hero to the black community. Hey, maybe Tarentino can make a movie about him.

[TigerClaws]

Look up the Zebra killings if you aren’t familiar with that.