Louisiana Teen Faces Murder Charges After Allegedly Shooting Father Outside School
A 13-year-old boy in Hammond, Louisiana, is facing second-degree murder charges after allegedly shooting his father dead outside an alternative school, according to police statements. The tragic incident unfolded on April 14, 2026, in the community located approximately 45 miles northwest of New Orleans.
Argument Over School Attendance Precedes Fatal Shooting
The Hammond Police Department reported that the incident began when the teenager refused to exit a vehicle while in the carpool line at Tangipahoa Alternative School. School staff notified a resource officer, who along with an HPD lieutenant attempted to intervene and contact both the teenager and his father.
After attempts to resolve the situation, the father decided to drive his son home from the Crystal Academy campus, which hosts multiple alternative education programs. As the vehicle pulled away, the resource officer reported hearing what he believed to be gunshots.
Chaotic Scene Unfolds as Vehicle Crashes Into Home
Hammond Police Chief Edwin Bergeron Jr. detailed that the car accelerated forward before crashing into a nearby residence. A young child, estimated to be five or six years old, was also inside the vehicle at the time of the incident.
Following the crash, the teenager emerged from the vehicle brandishing a firearm and began moving toward the school building. Chief Bergeron emphasized that the school resource officer immediately moved to intercept the armed teenager, successfully disarming him and taking him into custody.
"We don't know what his intentions were," Bergeron stated regarding the teenager's actions. "We don't know if he was going to take it further. But our trained officer, our officer who's assigned to that school, put himself in danger, disarmed the shooter and was able to take him into custody."
Father Succumbs to Injuries at Medical Center
The father was transported urgently to North Oaks Medical Center following the shooting but ultimately succumbed to his injuries. Authorities have confirmed that the young child in the vehicle, who was being taken to another school that morning, was unharmed and released to a family member.
Police have not yet determined a specific motive for the shooting or explained how the teenager obtained the firearm used in the incident. Chief Bergeron reflected on the unpredictable nature of such tragedies, noting "Sometimes, when evil things are going to happen, they just happen. We can do the best we can to stop them."
Eyewitness Describes Terrifying Crash Scene
A local resident identified only as Anita described the terrifying moment when the vehicle crashed through her bedroom wall while she was sleeping. "I woke up, and the little boy in the car was screaming, I was screaming," she told WWL-TV. "I jumped on the hood to get out of my room, because the car was so far in my room."
Anita reported noticing a bullet hole in the vehicle's window and immediately helped the young child from the car. She recounted that the child repeatedly stated "my uncle shot my dad" following the incident.
School Implements Immediate Lockdown Protocol
During the shooting, Tangipahoa Alternative School was placed under complete lockdown as a safety precaution. Ronald Genco, assistant superintendent of the Tangipahoa Parish School System, confirmed that the emergency response was swift and effective.
"When the code went out, in a matter of minutes - probably less than a minute - every student was in a classroom," Genco explained. "The doors were locked to the classroom and to the building."
Police have since declared the scene safe, and the investigation continues as authorities consider potential upgrades to the charges against the teenager. Chief Bergeron praised the responding officers, particularly noting that "I believe our lieutenant's actions today could have stopped something much worse" from occurring during the volatile situation.
