February 24, 2010 4:51 p.m. EST
New Orleans, Louisiana (CNN) -- A former New Orleans police lieutenant pleaded guilty Wednesday to obstruction of justice in connection with the police shootings of civilians in the days after Hurricane Katrina.
Two civilians were killed and four others were injured in the shootings on the Danziger Bridge.
Former Lt. Michael Lohman conspired with other police officers to cover up how the shootings occurred, even though he believed them to be "legally unjustified," according to a federal indictment unsealed Wednesday.
The indictment charges Lohman with conspiring to obstruct justice.
Read the criminal complaint
The shooting happened on September 4, 2005, just days after Hurricane Katrina roared ashore on the Gulf Coast.
Responding to a call for assistance, several officers drove to the bridge and encountered six civilians who were walking across the bridge to get food and supplies, the indictment says. The officers opened fire, killing one person -- later identified as 19-year-old James Brissette -- and injuring four others, according to the indictment.
They started shooting again on the other side of the bridge, killing Ronald Madison, a 40-year-old severely disabled man, the indictment says.
Madison was shot seven times -- five times in the back, the coroner has said.
Lohman arrived after the shooting, learned that his police colleagues "planned to provide false stories about what had precipitated the shooting" and "encouraged them to do so," according to the indictment.
Among other things, Lohman did not make sure police collected evidence, suggested that colleagues get rid of some shell casings the shooters left behind, and went along with a plan to plant a gun near the bridge, according to the indictment.
State prosecutors pursued criminal charges against several police officers without success.
In August 2008, a judge quashed indictments against Sgts. Kenneth Bowen and Robert Gisevius Jr., Officer Anthony Villavaso II and former Officer Robert Faulcon Jr., who were all facing first-degree murder and attempted murder charges. In addition, he threw out attempted first-degree murder charges against Officers Mike Hunter Jr. and Robert Barrios, and attempted second-degree murder charges against Officer Ignatius Hills.
Federal prosecutors opened an investigation after the judge's actions.
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