TERREBONNE PARISH, La. — August 31, 2026 — A Friday night shooting in Terrebonne Parish has now claimed the lives of two Gibson men, according to the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Tim Soignet said deputies responded shortly before 11 p.m. Friday, August 28, to multiple reports of gunfire in the 4000 block of Southdown Mandalay Road in Houma. As deputies were responding, additional callers reported that at least one man had been shot and was lying in the driveway of a residence.
When deputies arrived, they detained two people who were in the driveway and located two other men suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
One of the victims was pronounced dead at the scene. The second was transported by emergency medical personnel to a local hospital for treatment.
Detectives with the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes Division responded and took over the investigation.
Authorities identified the man who died at the scene as Ferron Michael Ruffin Sr., 49, of Gibson. The second man was identified as Christopher Michael Prince Sr., 48, of Gibson.
Investigators said evidence indicates Ruffin and Prince were involved in an ongoing disturbance that escalated, resulting in both men exchanging gunfire. Detectives said evidence recovered at the scene appeared consistent with information gathered during the investigation.
While authorities were continuing their investigation, they were notified that Prince had also died from his injuries at the hospital.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Sheriff Soignet extended his condolences to the families and others affected by the shooting.
“These types of cases are always devastating for not only the families and friends of those involved, but for the communities we serve,” Soignet said.
He also praised the detectives and deputies working the case for their efforts to provide answers and closure to the families involved.
