JS Incident Record
Documented public-interest record · New Orleans

Isaiah da Artist / Satin Isaiah Pierce

The Jackson Square
harpist assault

A factual account of the July 2023 confrontation involving Jackson Square harpist Hari and street performer Satin Isaiah Pierce, also known to Hari as “Isaiah the Artist.”

Date of incidentJuly 15, 2023
LocationChartres & St. Ann
Police districtNOPD Eighth District
Identity in the supplied record

Who is “Isaiah da Artist”?

Hari knew the Jackson Square performer by the name “Isaiah the Artist.” The police narrative supplied by Hari identifies the person arrested after the incident as Satin Isaiah Pierce. This site uses “Isaiah da Artist” when referring to the performance name and “Pierce” when referring to the person identified in that police record.

01 Summary

What the record establishes

On the morning of July 15, 2023, Hari was performing harp near Jackson Square when Satin Isaiah Pierce confronted him over the public performance location.

Hari reported that Pierce threatened to break his harp and his face if he did not move. When Hari stood and reached for his phone to call police, Pierce struck him on the left shoulder with a closed fist. Hari backed away while Pierce continued toward him.

The police narrative states that officers located video of the incident. According to their description, the recording shows Pierce striking Hari and advancing as Hari retreated.

02 Timeline

Three dates in July

  1. The incident

    At approximately 8:00 a.m., Hari set up near Chartres and St. Ann Streets. After a verbal confrontation and threat, Pierce struck Hari on the shoulder. A nearby artist recorded the encounter.

  2. The formal complaint

    At approximately 5:00 p.m., Hari came forward and made a formal complaint to New Orleans police. Officers reviewed the available recording.

  3. The arrest

    Eighth District officers located Pierce near St. Ann and Chartres. The police account states that he pushed away and fled toward the riverfront. During the pursuit, police reported recovering a loaded Taurus 9mm semiautomatic handgun that fell from his waistband. Officers apprehended him near the riverfront wharf.

03 Police record

Initial booking allegations

The supplied police narrative identifies the arrested person as Satin Isaiah Pierce and states that he was transported to the Orleans Parish Justice Center.

R.S. 14:35

Simple battery

R.S. 14:103

Disturbing the peace

R.S. 14:95

Illegal carrying of a concealed firearm

Important: These are the allegations listed at booking. An arrest or booking allegation is not proof of guilt, and this page does not presently state a final judicial disposition.

Reported details of the arrest

The police narrative says Pierce ran behind the riverfront floodwall and continued toward the wharf after the firearm fell onto the RTA streetcar tracks. It states that officers recovered the weapon and apprehended him near Barracks and North Peters Streets.

The same narrative says a gray 2001 Ford Econoline associated with Pierce was impounded for approximately $1,100 in unpaid City of New Orleans parking fines. No conclusion beyond the supplied police account is asserted here.

04 Hari’s account
“I had enough of this. I’m calling the police.”

Hari states that he had no previous direct incident with Pierce before July 15, although he had observed Pierce involved in disturbances with other artists. Hari knew him as “Isaiah the Artist” and saw him perform around Jackson Square, Café du Monde and Bourbon Street.

The police narrative records Pierce’s alleged threat as: “I’m going to break your harp and your face if you don’t move.” It records that the strike occurred as Hari reached into his pocket for his phone.

05 Evidence archive

Primary materials

Photographs, report pages and authenticated screenshots will be added here with dates, captions and source notes.

01

Police narrative

Redacted report excerpts and identifying case information.

02

Incident images

Still images with source, date and context recorded.

03

Court record

Verified docket history and final disposition when obtained.

06 Editorial standards

What this site is—and is not

This site documents a specific incident using Hari’s firsthand account and a police narrative provided by him. It distinguishes direct observation, police statements, booking allegations and judicial outcomes.

  • No home addresses, birth dates or unrelated family information are published.
  • No reader is encouraged to contact, confront or harass anyone named here.
  • Material corrections and documented responses will be evaluated and noted transparently.
  • The record will be updated when a verified final court disposition is available.