Louisiana Mardi Gras parade shooting injures at least five, including one child

CLINTON, LOUSIANA: A festive Mardi Gras celebration in rural Louisiana turned into chaos after a shooting in Clinton on Saturday, January 31.

According to local outlet WBRZ, gunfire erupted near a courthouse as the parade was underway, prompting an immediate shutdown of the event and a large law enforcement response.

At least five, including a child, people were injured during the carnival parade.

Louisiana Mardi Gras parade shut down after gunfire

The shooting occurred during the town’s annual “Mardi Gras in the Country” parade, an event that draws families and visitors to the small community each year. 

Officials said the shooting happened close to the East Feliciana Parish courthouse, a central location along the parade route.

Witnesses described scenes of confusion as families fled the area, some seeking shelter inside nearby buildings while others ran toward parked vehicles.

The East Feliciana Parish sheriff told WBRZ that the parade was immediately shut down once shots were fired.

Emergency responders rushed to the scene to treat the wounded, while law enforcement secured the area and began searching for suspects.

Five people were shot during the incident, including a child, though officials have not released details about the victims’ ages or conditions. Authorities confirmed that at least one person was taken into custody, but it remains unclear whether that individual is believed to be the sole shooter.

Investigators are also searching for a vehicle suspected to have been used during the shooting. Streets surrounding the courthouse were blocked off as state troopers and sheriff’s deputies worked to secure the scene.

Louisiana state police take over investigation

WBRZ reported that the Louisiana State Police has assumed control of the investigation. State troopers were seen cordoning off large sections of downtown Clinton as investigators collected evidence and interviewed witnesses.

The East Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office, which oversees Clinton, did not immediately respond to requests for comment from national media outlets. Officials have yet to release the identity of the suspect in custody or clarify whether additional arrests are expected.

Clinton is a small town with a population of roughly 1,300 people and is part of the metropolitan area surrounding Baton Rouge, Louisiana’s capital.

Events like “Mardi Gras in the Country” are typically family-friendly gatherings, making Saturday’s violence particularly jarring for residents.

Local officials urged the public to avoid the area while the investigation continues and asked anyone with information, photos, or videos from the parade to come forward.

US mass shooting incidents rising

The incident in Clinton adds to an already grim tally of mass shootings across the United States this year. According to the nonpartisan Gun Violence Archive, there have been at least 24 mass shootings nationwide in 2026 so far.

The persistent frequency of such attacks has renewed calls from advocacy groups and some lawmakers for stricter gun control measures.