Five individuals, including a young child, sustained gunshot wounds when violence erupted during a community parade in Louisiana on Saturday afternoon, according to local law enforcement officials.
Chaos at Clinton's Mardi Gras Celebration
The incident occurred shortly after midday during the Mardi Gras in the Country Parade in Clinton, a small town approximately thirty miles north of Baton Rouge. East Feliciana Parish Sheriff Jeff Travis confirmed the shooting disrupted what should have been a festive family occasion, sending parade attendees scrambling for safety as gunfire rang out.
Investigation Underway Amid Multiple Arrests
Sheriff Travis stated that investigators are actively working to reconstruct the sequence of events, determine the motive behind the shooting, and identify those responsible. Despite the presence of additional law enforcement personnel specifically deployed to assist with parade security, crucial answers remained elusive in the immediate aftermath.
Three individuals found in possession of firearms in the vicinity were detained by authorities. However, Sheriff Travis emphasised that it was not immediately clear whether these persons were directly involved in the shooting that wounded the five victims.
Political Reaction and Victim Updates
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry described the incident as "absolutely horrific and unacceptable" in a statement posted on the social media platform X, urging the public to offer prayers for those affected. While specific details regarding the identities and medical conditions of the wounded were not immediately released, Chief Criminal Deputy Bill Cox from the sheriff's office provided a cautiously optimistic update.
All five victims, including the six-year-old child, are expected to survive their injuries, Cox informed local media. The sheriff's office has issued a public appeal, requesting that anyone who captured photographs or video footage of the shooting or the surrounding area come forward to assist investigators with their enquiries.
