Ten individuals have been hospitalized following a shooting incident at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge, according to local authorities. The event, which unfolded on Thursday afternoon, is no longer considered an active threat, and investigators believe it originated from a confrontation between two groups.
Details of the Incident
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Baton Rouge Police Chief Thomas Morse Jr. stated, "We found out looking through surveillance videos it looks like it was kind of targeted. Two groups of people got into an argument inside the food court and started shooting at each other." The exchange of gunfire led to chaos, with several bystanders caught in the crossfire. Emergency medical services and private vehicles transported ten victims to local hospitals, with injuries ranging from minor to critical.
Official Responses
The Baton Rouge Police Department confirmed in a 3:29 p.m. update that the shooter or shooters remain at large. By 4:12 p.m., they emphasized that the investigation remains active. During an afternoon press conference, Mayor Sid Edwards addressed the perpetrators directly: "To the thugs that did this, we're gonna catch you. The devil lives everywhere. If someone gets in their mind that they're going to do something like this, they're going to do something like this."
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill released statements indicating they are monitoring the situation and coordinating with law enforcement. Governor Landry expressed that he and his wife are praying for "those affected and are grateful for a quick response by our law enforcement officials."
Evacuation and Response
According to local news outlet WBRZ, shoppers and employees were escorted through tunnels and into a holding area following the eruption of gunfire in the food court. Paramedics later set up a triage center near JCPenney, as reported by WAFB.
Broader Context
As of Wednesday, the United States has recorded 144 mass shootings in 2026, according to the Mass Shooting Tracker, which defines such incidents as any event where at least four people are shot. The Rockefeller Institute of Government notes that the U.S. has experienced more public mass shootings than any other country globally.
