One person was killed and five others were wounded in a shooting at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge on April 23. Police say the attack arose from a dispute between two groups in the food court and was not random. Five people are in custody, one firearm was recovered, and authorities are asking the public to submit photos and videos. Officials confirmed that students from Ascension Episcopal School were among the injured.
One Dead, Five Injured — Including School Students — After Shooting at Mall of Louisiana
Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge on April 23, 2026Credit: AP Photo/Matthew Hinton
One person was killed and five others were wounded in a shooting at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge on April 23, authorities said. The incident took place in the mall’s food court and police say it resulted from an altercation between two groups rather than a random attack.
Timeline and Response
Baton Rouge Police Chief Thomas Morse Jr. said officers were alerted to gunfire at about 1:22 p.m. local time. An officer assigned to the mall and a sheriff’s deputy in the parking lot were among the first to respond, and dozens of additional law enforcement personnel arrived within minutes.
Police at Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge on Thursday, April 23, 2026Credit: AP Photo/Matthew Hinton
Victims and Investigation
Police reported a total of six victims, one of whom died from gunshot wounds. One victim has since undergone surgery and four others suffered relatively minor injuries. Authorities initially reported a higher number of injured people but later revised the count.
“Our investigators learned a total of six victims, one of whom unfortunately succumbed to their injuries,” Chief Morse said, adding that officials would withhold victim details to allow families to be notified.
Chief Morse described the shooting as "not a random act," saying it stemmed from a dispute between two groups in the food court. He added that "innocent victims got caught in the crossfire." At the press briefing he said five people were in custody and one firearm had been recovered. Investigators asked the public to submit photos and videos, saying they believe additional suspects may still be at large.
Police at the Mall of Louisiana, Thursday, April 23, 2026Credit: AP Photo/Matthew Hinton
Schools and Local Reaction
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said some of the injured were students from Ascension Episcopal School in Lafayette. In a statement, Ascension Episcopal School said it was "heartbroken" that students had been injured in the off-campus incident and asked the community to hold the school in prayer, adding that it would not release further details out of respect for families.
Lafayette Parish Mayor-President Monique Blanco Boulet posted that the victims included three seniors from Ascension Episcopal School.
Ongoing Work
Local authorities continue to investigate. Police urged anyone with photos or video from the mall around the time of the shooting to submit them to investigators to help identify additional suspects and reconstruct the events. People affected and witnesses are being asked to cooperate with law enforcement as the inquiry proceeds.
PEOPLE and local agencies were contacted for comment as the investigation continued.
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