Five people, including a six-year-old child, were wounded in a shooting during a Mardi Gras parade in Clinton, Louisiana, on Saturday, sending revellers fleeing for cover, authorities said.
The shooting occurred shortly after the midday start of the Mardi Gras in the Country parade, according to East Feliciana Sheriff Jeff Travis. Three people who had firearms were taken into custody, but it was not clear whether they were involved in the incident.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry described the shooting as “absolutely horrific and unacceptable” in a post on X, urging prayers for the victims. Chief Criminal Deputy Bill Cox from the sheriff's office told The Advocate that all victims were expected to survive, though their conditions were not immediately released.
The sheriff’s office asked for anyone with photos or video to share them with investigators. The Louisiana State Police has taken over the investigation, according to local news outlet WBRZ.
Clinton, with a population of about 1,300, is part of the Baton Rouge metropolitan area. The shooting adds to at least 24 mass shootings in the US so far this year, as defined by the Gun Violence Archive (four or more victims wounded or killed).
