A tragic shooting disrupted a rural Mardi Gras parade in Clinton, Louisiana, on January 31, 2026. Six people, including a child, were shot in front of the East Feliciana Parish Courthouse during the “Mardi Gras in the Country” event, which features costumed horseback riders, wagons, and trucks. The incident happened shortly after the parade started around noon, prompting an immediate shutdown as crowds fled.
One child and one adult remain in critical condition, though some reports note five total victims with expectations of survival. East Feliciana Parish Sheriff Jeff Travis confirmed three armed individuals were detained nearby, but no arrests directly tied to the shooting yet; investigators seek video footage and a possible getaway vehicle. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry called it “absolutely horrific,” with State Police now leading the probe in the small town of about 1,300, 30 miles north of Baton Rouge.
This rare violence at a cherished local tradition underscores safety challenges at public festivities leading to Fat Tuesday on February 17.
What are your thoughts on parade security, or do you want local resources for Louisiana events?
