Thirteen people were wounded during a shooting this weekend in Bogalusa.The shooting occurred as a large gathering was taking place for a memorial service for Dominique James, a man whose body was found this week in a wooded area, police said. Bogalusa Police Major Wendell O’Berry said in a Monday press conference, “The scene was chaos” upon officers arriving to the scene.Gunfire broke out at 9:12 p.m. Saturday around Martin Luther King Drive and East 4th Street, according to the Bogalusa Police Department. Officers said upon their arrival, shots were still being fired.Over 50 shell casings of various calibers were recovered at the scene. O’Berry says it is believed multiple shooters were involved.O’Berry says the crowd size of the memorial service was estimated between 500-800 people at the time of the shooting.It is believed that the shooting was drug related, according to Bogalusa Police. The victims included 12 men and 1 woman, aging in range from 22-45, according to officials.Some victims were treated at the scene while others were taken by ambulance or flown to a local hospital. One of the 13 people who were shot is in critical condition, police said. The severity of the other victims’ injuries has not been released.The officers secured the scene with the help of the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Louisiana Fire Marshal’s Office, Louisiana State Police, the Varnado Police Department, and firefighters and paramedics. Investigators said they have not received information from eyewitnesses about the shooting. They are asking anyone with details to come forward.People at the scene expressed frustration, saying police should have broken up the crowd hours before the shooting. The police spokesperson said Bogalusa Police Department was aware of the gathering for about five hours before the 13 people were shot.The gathering did not have a permit.Event organizers could face possible charges, O’Berry said.James was reported missing Wednesday. His body was found in a car during a search of a wooded area a few miles west of Bogalusa, investigators said Friday. Anyone with information about the shooting can call (985) 732-3611.Stay with WDSU.com for updates.
Thirteen people were wounded during a shooting this weekend in Bogalusa.
The shooting occurred as a large gathering was taking place for a memorial service for Dominique James, a man whose body was found this week in a wooded area, police said.
Bogalusa Police Major Wendell O’Berry said in a Monday press conference, “The scene was chaos” upon officers arriving to the scene.
Gunfire broke out at 9:12 p.m. Saturday around Martin Luther King Drive and East 4th Street, according to the Bogalusa Police Department.
Officers said upon their arrival, shots were still being fired.
Over 50 shell casings of various calibers were recovered at the scene. O’Berry says it is believed multiple shooters were involved.
O’Berry says the crowd size of the memorial service was estimated between 500-800 people at the time of the shooting.
It is believed that the shooting was drug related, according to Bogalusa Police.
The victims included 12 men and 1 woman, aging in range from 22-45, according to officials.
Some victims were treated at the scene while others were taken by ambulance or flown to a local hospital. One of the 13 people who were shot is in critical condition, police said. The severity of the other victims’ injuries has not been released.
The officers secured the scene with the help of the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Louisiana Fire Marshal’s Office, Louisiana State Police, the Varnado Police Department, and firefighters and paramedics.
Investigators said they have not received information from eyewitnesses about the shooting. They are asking anyone with details to come forward.
People at the scene expressed frustration, saying police should have broken up the crowd hours before the shooting. The police spokesperson said Bogalusa Police Department was aware of the gathering for about five hours before the 13 people were shot.
The gathering did not have a permit.
Event organizers could face possible charges, O’Berry said.
James was reported missing Wednesday. His body was found in a car during a search of a wooded area a few miles west of Bogalusa, investigators said Friday.
Anyone with information about the shooting can call (985) 732-3611.
Stay with WDSU.com for updates.
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