A 6-year-old child was among those struck when shots interrupted the small town’s “Mardi Gras in the Country” celebration.
CLINTON, La. — Five people, including a 6-year-old child, were shot Saturday afternoon when gunfire broke out shortly after a Mardi Gras parade began in Clinton, a rural seat of East Feliciana Parish north of Baton Rouge. The parade was halted as crowds ran for cover.
Authorities said the incident unfolded just after the procession started on Saturday and quickly turned a family event into chaos. The East Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office said multiple agencies responded within minutes, treating victims on the route and rerouting spectators away from the courthouse square. Louisiana State Police joined the case as investigators worked through the evening to document the scene and collect video from witnesses. Sheriff Jeff Travis said several people carrying guns were detained for questioning while detectives sorted out who fired and why. State officials denounced the shooting and asked residents to share recordings that could clarify the sequence of events.
Witnesses described a sharp burst of shots interrupting music and the sounds of floats, sending families scrambling behind vehicles and storefronts. The child was transported for emergency care; officials said the remaining victims were adults. The sheriff’s office said all five injured are expected to survive, though conditions varied late Saturday. “We had officers on the route in seconds,” Travis said, noting that patrols from neighboring jurisdictions helped secure the area. By sundown, troopers and deputies were mapping shell casings, marking firing positions and canvassing for surveillance footage from businesses near the parade staging area. The parade shut down for the day as organizers cooperated with law enforcement.
Clinton, a town of about 1,300, hosts the annual “Mardi Gras in the Country” event, which draws families from across East Feliciana Parish and neighboring communities. Recent years have seen larger crowds as small-town celebrations offer an alternative to bigger city parades. Officials said there had been no active threats leading up to Saturday, and the route—anchored around the parish courthouse—was staffed with local deputies. The gunfire rattled a community where weekend gatherings and school events typically unfold without incident. State leaders condemned the shooting as “horrific and unacceptable” and said they were in contact with parish officials about continued support. No motive had been identified as of late Saturday night, and investigators had not publicly tied the gunfire to any specific group or dispute.
Detectives spent the evening interviewing those who were detained and reviewing phone videos submitted by spectators. The sheriff’s office said it would release additional information once investigators confirm who fired shots. Any potential charges would be routed to the district attorney after troopers and deputies complete their initial reports, a process that could extend into the new week. Officials said they expect to provide an update on preliminary findings after they finish processing evidence and speaking with the victims and their families. Parade organizers said they will coordinate with law enforcement before making decisions about any future schedule or related festivities.
As dusk fell, families returned to gather strollers and lawn chairs left along the route. Store owners swept confetti from doorways while deputies guarded intersections with patrol trucks idling. “Everybody started running,” said Dana Mills, who watched the procession from a folding chair near the courthouse. “You come out here to see horses and beads and neighbors—you don’t expect to dive behind a truck.” Parents hugged children tightly as ambulances pulled away. Volunteers who came to throw beads pivoted to hand out water to those waiting for news from the scene.
Authorities said the investigation remains active, with evidence technicians still processing the route and the sheriff’s office setting up a system to receive additional videos from the public. Officials expect to outline the next steps, including any arrests or charges, after more interviews are complete on Sunday and Monday. The sheriff’s office said it will identify the victims and provide updated conditions once families have been fully notified. The parade remains suspended, and streets near the courthouse could stay closed until evidence work is finished.
Author note: Last updated February 1, 2026.