Six Injured in Louisiana Mardi Gras Parade Shooting, Child in Critical Condition
A festive Mardi Gras celebration in rural Louisiana turned tragic on Saturday when gunfire erupted during a community parade, leaving six people injured, including a six-year-old child who remains in critical condition. The shooting occurred in Clinton, a small town near Baton Rouge, prompting an immediate shutdown of the event and a major police investigation.
Gunfire Halts Community Celebration
The violence unfolded shortly after the 21st annual Mardi Gras in the Country parade began in Clinton, which has approximately 1,300 residents. The incident took place near the local courthouse, leading authorities to swiftly close down the parade to ensure public safety. According to initial reports, at least five people were confirmed shot, though later updates indicated that six victims sustained gunshot wounds during the chaotic scene.
Child Airlifted with Multiple Injuries
Among the injured victims was a six-year-old child who was struck multiple times in the leg. The child was airlifted to Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge and is listed in critical condition. The child's gender has not been disclosed by officials. Additionally, an adult victim was also reported to be in critical condition and was airlifted to a Baton Rouge hospital. Two other victims were taken to a local hospital, where they were described as being in critical but stable condition.
Suspects Detained and Investigation Underway
East Feliciana Parish Sheriff Jeff Travis confirmed that the parade was shut down immediately following the shooting. Speaking to local media, Travis stated that four suspects had been taken into custody, and investigators are searching for a vehicle believed to be connected to the incident. However, other reports suggested that at least one person was formally in custody as the investigation progressed, with law enforcement actively pursuing additional leads.
State Police Assume Control of Probe
The Louisiana State Police took over the investigation later on Saturday. Streets surrounding the courthouse were blocked off by state troopers and sheriff’s deputies as forensic and security operations continued. The East Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment from news outlets, highlighting the ongoing nature of the investigation.
Rising Toll of Gun Violence in the US
This shooting adds to a growing toll of gun violence across the United States. At the time of the incident in Clinton, there had already been at least 24 mass shootings nationwide in the early part of the year, according to the non-partisan Gun Violence Archive. The archive defines a mass shooting as an incident in which four or more victims are wounded or killed.
Persistently high rates of such attacks have renewed calls for stricter gun control legislation. Yet despite recurring public outcry following incidents of mass violence, the United States Congress has remained divided, and substantial legislative reforms have yet to materialize. This incident underscores the ongoing challenges in addressing gun violence in the country.
