Following New Orleans terrorist attack, Orleans Parish ADA dies by suicide in DA office

A New Orleans assistant district attorney died by suicide Saturday night inside the district attorney's office.

According to New Orleans police, ADA Ian Kersting was found suffering a self-inflicted gunshot wound around 9 p.m. in the 6100 block of South White Street.

Kersting's death follows the New Year's Day terrorist attack that occurred on Bourbon Street, where an "Islamic State-inspired suspect planted bombs and deliberately drove a pickup truck through crowds before opening fire."

The Orleans Parish district attorney's office released a statement on the tragedy:

“The Orleans Parish DA’s Office family suffered a terrible tragedy Saturday night. Assistant District Attorney Ian Kersting was a beloved member of our office, and we send our love and deepest condolences to his family. It’s important that we support each other right now, and we ask the media respect the privacy of the individuals impacted.”

Kersting was a part of the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative division in the district attorney's office.

If you or someone you know needs help, you can talk with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or sending a text message to 988, or you can chat online here.