Authorities say a school resource officer intervened before the situation escalated further.
HAMMOND, La. — A 13-year-old boy was taken into custody Tuesday morning after police say he shot his father during a school drop-off at Tangipahoa Alternative School, setting off a crash, lockdown and rapid police response around 7:39 a.m.
The incident rattled the school community and raised urgent questions about school safety and access to firearms. Authorities say the teen was stopped by a school resource officer before reaching campus buildings, and officials stressed that quick action likely prevented additional injuries. The father remained hospitalized, and investigators continued working to determine how the child obtained the weapon and what led to the shooting.
Police said the events unfolded during the morning car line as the father drove his son to school. Investigators said the teen refused to get out of the vehicle, leading to an argument. A school resource officer approached to assist, and the father decided to leave and take the boy home. As the vehicle began pulling away, a gunshot rang out from inside the car. The vehicle then accelerated across the street and crashed into a nearby home, according to authorities.
A young child, described by officials as pre-kindergarten age, was in the back seat during the shooting and crash but was not injured. Witnesses said the crash was sudden and violent, with one nearby resident describing a vehicle slamming into her home while a child inside screamed. Police said the father, who had been shot, lost control of the vehicle before it came to rest inside the structure. No one inside the home was hurt.
After the crash, authorities said the 13-year-old exited the vehicle while still holding a gun and began walking toward the school. A school resource officer confronted the teen, positioned himself between the student and the campus, and disarmed him without firing a weapon. Hammond Police Chief Edwin Bergeron Jr. said the officer’s actions may have prevented a more serious incident. The teen was taken into custody without further resistance.
Officials said the school immediately went into lockdown as a precaution. Within minutes, students were secured inside classrooms, and access points were locked. The lockdown was lifted later in the day once police confirmed there was no ongoing threat. Counselors were made available on campus for students and staff coping with the aftermath of the incident.
Investigators said the father was transported to a local hospital and was initially listed in critical condition before stabilizing. Authorities have not released the identities of those involved due to the boy’s age. The 13-year-old is expected to be processed through the juvenile justice system, and officials said no details about his prior behavior or record would be disclosed.
Police said they are still working to determine how the teen obtained the firearm and what his intentions were after leaving the crashed vehicle. Bergeron said it remains unclear whether the teen planned further violence but emphasized that the presence of trained officers on campus was critical in stopping the situation quickly.
Parents and community members expressed shock but also relief that no students or staff were injured. Some praised the school’s emergency procedures and the officer’s response, noting that the situation could have ended far differently. The campus, which serves students placed there for disciplinary or academic reasons, resumed normal operations later in the day.
Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing as they gather evidence, interview witnesses and review security procedures. No formal charges had been publicly announced as of Tuesday afternoon.
The case remains under investigation, with officials expected to provide updates as the juvenile processing moves forward and the father continues recovering.
Author note: Last updated April 15, 2026.