Key takeaways:
- Ten people were injured in a shooting at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge on Thursday afternoon.
- The shooting followed an argument between two groups in the mall's food court and involved gunfire exchanged between them.
- No arrests have been made, and law enforcement agencies including the FBI are involved in the ongoing investigation.
A shooting at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge on Thursday afternoon left 10 people injured, authorities reported. The incident occurred around 1:22 p.m. local time near the mall’s food court, according to the Baton Rouge Police Department. Police said the shooting erupted after an argument between two groups escalated into gunfire.
Baton Rouge Police Chief Thomas Morse Jr. described the attack as “targeted,” noting that the confrontation involved two groups who began shooting at each other. “Unfortunately, there were some innocent people that were in the area that might have also [been hurt],” Morse said. Ten victims were transported to local hospitals, some by emergency medical services and others by private vehicles. Several victims were reported to be in surgery, and at least two were critically injured, according to CBS affiliate WAFB-TV.
Authorities confirmed that the situation was no longer an active shooter incident but emphasized that the suspects remained at large. Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the scene, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The FBI’s New Orleans field office stated it was “aware of and is responding to an incident at the Mall of Louisiana with our partners,” but provided no further details.
Police and city officials urged the public to assist in the investigation. Chief Morse requested anyone with information or cellphone video of the shooting to come forward to help identify the suspects. Baton Rouge Mayor Sid Edwards addressed those responsible, saying, “We’re gonna catch you. We’re not gonna have this in Baton Rouge. It’s not gonna happen. I have complete confidence in our law enforcement partners that we’re gonna go out and grab these guys and get them off the street.”
Earlier on Thursday, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry acknowledged the shooting and expressed support for those affected. “Sharon and I are praying for those affected and are grateful for a quick response by our law enforcement officials,” Landry said in a statement.
The shooting at the Mall of Louisiana comes just days after another tragic event in the state, where eight children were fatally shot in Shreveport. Seven of those victims were children of the gunman, Shamar Elkins, who was killed in a police confrontation following a carjacking.
As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the Baton Rouge shooting, and the investigation is ongoing.
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