Friday night's (October 14) Bogalusa-Jewel Sumner football game was abruptly stopped in the 4th quarter when a fatal shooting occurred outside the Bogalusa football stadium. The game was halted with Bogalusa holding a 40-27 lead.
Police have not released the name of the 15-year-old victim who was killed in the shooting. But they said that three people were shooting at each other outside the stadium, including the victim. The victim was taken to the emergency room at Our Lady Of The Angels Hospital in Bogalusa, where he was pronounced dead. The victim was from Covington and police believe he was involved in an earlier shooting that left one person wounded. Police think the shooting incident at the Bogalusa football stadium might be in retaliation for the earlier shooting.
The game was immediately halted after approximately 18 to 20 gunshots rang out. Bogalusa players went to their locker room, and Jewel-Sumner players boarded their team bus and immediately departed from Bogalusa. The Bogalusa High School Homecoming Dance, scheduled for Saturday night, has been postponed. Also, Jewel-Sumner High School has released a statement advising parents and other relatives that no Jewel-Sumner players or students were injured in the shooting incident.
Three cars in the stadium parking lot were damaged by gunfire.
The parent of a BHS student commented to The Era-Leader, "It was the Homecoming game. Who ruins a Homecoming game like that?" In addition, the parent noted that the Bogalusa football team is having its best season in a quite a while, and now with the fatal shooting and the abrupt ending of the game, the season will have an asterisk after it in the minds of some players and fans.
However, the tragic death of a 15-year-old teen obviously outweighs everything else. It is a continuation of gun violence in Bogalusa that has caused much concern among police and elected officials.The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
Here is a public letter released by Bogalusa School Superintendent Lisa Tanner Saturday morning. She is the former principal of Franklinton High School.
"It is with complete disbelief and sadness that I write this letter this morning after the Bogalusa High School Homecoming game last night. As many may know, shots were fired outside of our football stadium with 4:07 minutes left on the clock, The police presence at the game was heavy and they reacted quickly. Our administration, faculty, and staff reacted immediately and our students, fans, and visitors were safe.”
“This horrific act of violence occurred after a wonderful homecoming week that the BHS administration, staff, and students worked hard to provide for our school and community. All week we could feel and see the excitement, with glimpses of years past where the pride was once again evident in our community and stadium. It is heartbreaking that all of this ended with violence outside of our stadium.”
“Please remember that our students, coaches, players, band, cheerleaders, Paper Dolls, JROTC, flags, faculty, administration, and staff worked tirelessly to have a safe spectacular homecoming. This act of violence occurred outside of our game, and had nothing to do with our awesome fans and students.”
“Thank you to our fans who have supported our Lumberjacks this season. I pray that your support will continue in the days to come; our students deserve and need that. Thank you to the first responders, the Bogalusa Police Department and the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office for their quick and timely response when this incident occurred.”
“I pray that in the coming days we can find peace and can once again return to that spot that we all hold so dear to us without hesitation or worry. Our students deserve that. Please continue to pray for our administration, faculty, staff, and students as we move forward and the family of the victim whose life was taken so tragically."
-----Lisa Tanner, Superintendent
Bogalusa City Schools
