Gunfire tore through a Breaux Bridge neighborhood early Thursday, leaving one person dead and two others wounded, according to police. The shooting erupted around 1:30 a.m. on the 700 block of Valsin Street, jolting residents awake and sending neighbors to their windows as patrol cars and crime scene tape moved in. Investigators stayed on the block into the morning while officers processed evidence.
Police: One Juvenile Dead, Two Hospitalized
Authorities told KATC that three people were hit by gunfire and one of them later died. Family members identified the person who died as a 16 year old, according to the report. Breaux Bridge Police Chief Buz LeBlanc declined an on camera interview at the scene and could not immediately confirm the conditions of the two surviving victims.
Scene And Initial Investigation
Local reporting by 97.3 The Dawg notes that the shooting remains under investigation and that no suspect was in custody at the time of its report. One injured person was taken to a hospital in Lafayette and the other to a hospital in Baton Rouge, according to law enforcement accounts. Authorities asked anyone with information to contact the Breaux Bridge Police Department at (337) 332-2186.
Context For Residents
Local coverage this year has documented other overnight shootings and a drive by arrest in Breaux Bridge, underscoring ongoing public safety concerns in the small St. Martin Parish city. As reported by KATC, officers have previously responded to multiple connected incidents in which homes and vehicles were struck by gunfire.
How To Help
Investigators are urging anyone with information to contact the Breaux Bridge Police Department or submit a tip to Crime Stoppers. Callers can reach Crime Stoppers at (337) 441-3030 or submit a web tip via Crime Stoppers' tipline. Tipsters may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward.
