Evacuees at shelter treated like prisoners and shot by authorities

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http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3842312&nav=0RceeSCn

Local Red Cross volunteer says Katrina relief effort is unusually disorganized

(Grand Rapids, September 13, 2005, 8:15 a.m.) One Red Cross volunteer who just got back from Baton Rouge says the relief effort is still unusually disorganized.

Red Cross volunteer Bani Holcombe of Holland was headed to New Orleans when he was diverted to Baton Rouge for a three week shift. He cut his time in Baton Rouge short, after witnessing evacuee abuse and a disorganized relief effort at all levels.

Seven thousand New Orleans evacuees packed a convention hall and arena located in Baton Rouge. That shelter is where Holcombe served the masses and witnessed chaos. Holcombe says the people were treated as if they were prisoners and that he witnessed evacuees being shot by authorities.

"One I will never forget. He had shot his weapon up in the air and took off running, and the next thing I hear is two more gunshots. And an hour later I see a black bag. It tells me enough," Holcombe told 24 Hour News 8.