Mitch Landrieu describes being held up at gunpoint as teen

At a news conference Tuesday (Sept. 29) to address a recent string of armed robberies at Uptown-area bars and restaurants, Mayor Mitch Landrieu said he's been the victim of an armed robbery.

"I have been a victim of an armed robbery," Landrieu said. "I can remember it like it was yesterday. It was the most horrific experience."

NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune asked Landrieu's office for additional details about his experience. His office said it could not provide an NOPD report number since the incident happened so long ago.

Here is the mayor's account:

"When I was 13 years old, I was riding home on my bike after playing basketball at a friend's house. I stopped by the Time Saver at Napoleon and Broad to get an ICEE when I walked into an ongoing armed robbery. One of the two robbers pointed his blue steel revolver in my face and said, 'Little one: it's a shame you had to come in here.' I watched in terror as the robbers demanded more and more money from the store employee. I watched as they got visibly upset that the employee couldn't produce more money and threatened to kill him. Eventually, the two robbers gave up, made us all get down on the floor and stay there for at least five minutes as they took the money and ran. The memory of that terrifying experience is seared into my brain forever. I can still visualize the barrel of the gun pointed at my face. So, I know how traumatic these armed robberies can be, and I don't wish them on anybody."