MAMOU, La. — A week has passed since a deadly shooting marred Mamou’s Mardi Gras celebration, yet the wounds left by the violence remain fresh for the families of the victims and the town’s residents. The tragic event claimed two lives and left 11 others injured, sending shockwaves through the small Louisiana community.
In the wake of the incident, Mamou’s city leaders have remained largely silent, raising questions about the town’s preparedness and response to the violence.
Mamou Police Chief Patrick Hall spoke briefly following the shooting, expressing condolences to the victims’ families and acknowledging the gravity of the situation. “I feel like we were prepared, but you can’t control everything,” Hall said. “We just ask for prayers, we all need them.” However, despite the initial remarks, Hall and his department have since declined to provide further comment, ignoring multiple requests for interviews from local news outlets.
KATC, a local news station, has sought answers to several key questions surrounding the event. Among the pressing inquiries: How many officers were assigned to secure the Mardi Gras festivities? Why was the event not canceled after a separate shooting on Monday night, which had already left three people injured?
In an effort to gather more information, KATC reached out to Mamou City Hall and members of the City Council. However, all attempts to speak with council members—Alderman-at-Large Ricardo Goodley, District 2’s Brook Chapman, District 3’s Eugene Manuel, District 4’s Robin Young, and Derrell Thomas of District 1, who also serves as the organizer for the Zydeco Mardi Gras event—were met with silence. Each declined to comment on the tragic incident.
Mayor Leisa Deshotel, who also refrained from speaking on camera, issued a brief statement to KATC. “It was advised that the mayor, the chief of police, and town staff refrain from public comment on any details of the tragic incident that happened over Mardi Gras,” the statement read.
The lack of communication from both the town’s leadership and the police department has left residents and the media seeking clarity on the town’s security measures and decision-making. While the public remains in the dark, KATC has submitted a formal public records request to the town of Mamou, seeking documents that may provide insight into the security arrangements for the event and the town’s response to the earlier shooting.
As the investigation continues and Mamou mourns the loss of life, the community is left grappling with the painful reality of a celebration turned deadly, and the pressing need for answers in the days to come. Local authorities have yet to offer a full explanation, leaving many to question what steps, if any, were taken to prevent such a tragedy. As more information becomes available, the town of Mamou and the families affected by the violence are hoping for closure and accountability.