NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - A grieving mother questions how a celebratory birthday vacation turned into tragedy and why her daughters were shot on Bourbon Street.

The shooting early Sunday (Sept. 28) claimed the life of 33-year-old Jessica Williams of Chicago and wounded her sister.

“I want to know why,” said Williams’ mother, who asked that her name be withheld. “I brought my baby out of town for her to lose her life walking back to the hotel room.”

Williams’ mother said she was with her two daughters and other relatives in the city.

“We did our swamp tour, we ate dinner,” the mother said. “My phone died out and I walked back to the hotel room.”

Bourbon Street shooting leaves 1 dead, 3 injured, NOPD says

Williams’ mother said she woke up when a stranger called her from her daughter’s phone

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