On Friday, October 6th, 2023, Thibodaux Police Department officers were present at the Thibodaux High School vs. Hahnville High School football game, held at the Thibodaux High Stadium, to support security measures by the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Just before 8:30 p.m., several law enforcement officers stationed on the home (west) side of the stadium reported hearing five to six gunshots that seemed to originate from outside the western part of the stadium. As officials began investigating and news began to spread, fans, players, and staff hastily left the venue. Consequently, authorities from the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office and Lafourche Parish School Board considered it necessary to suspend the game.
Additionally, a medical incident involving a student-athlete was reported but ultimately determined to be unrelated to the gunshots. No injuries during the football game were attributed to the shooting.
In response to the reports of gunfire, officers from both the Thibodaux Police Department and Lafourche Parish Deputies promptly left toward the parking lot area. They were joined by officers patrolling the school grounds’ perimeter from both departments.
After an extensive week and a half investigation led by joint collaboration between agencies, authorities discovered that two juvenile groups had engaged in a physical altercation in the stadium parking lot near Tiger Dr. During this incident, a 13-year-old individual not initially involved in the fight joined one group off school property and fired shots at members of the second group as they were leaving. The shooter subsequently fled, while those targeted did not stay on-site but were later identified.
Investigators found a crime scene and obtained evidence consistent with these findings. Based on this information, they apprehended and arrested a 13-year-old suspect without incident on October 18, 2023.
Authorities continue to investigate, not dismissing the possibility of further arrests. The suspected motive remains undisclosed to protect the investigation’s integrity and will be shared with the public as more information surfaces.
Thibodaux Police Chief Zeringue expressed gratitude to the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, particularly the school resource officer, for assistance during the investigation. Chief Zeringue also commended community members for providing critical information to the department or through Bayou Region Crime Stoppers.
The accused juvenile is being held at Lafourche Parish Juvenile Justice Center, with court proceedings pending.