One person has died and five others were injured after an exchange of gunfire between rival groups at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge on April 23, 2026. The shooting, which occurred around 1:22 p.m. in the food court, stemmed from an argument between the two groups.
Initially, authorities reported that as many as ten individuals were injured, but this number was later revised.
Baton Rouge Police Chief TJ Morse stated that all six of the injured individuals appeared to be innocent bystanders, not participants in the conflict.
Authorities confirmed that five suspects have been arrested, emphasizing there was no ongoing threat to the public.
Mayor Sid Edwards of East Baton Rouge Parish expressed concern over the incident, describing it as reflective of a broader issue with violence in the community.
In addition to law enforcement's rapid response, which included a police officer already on patrol in the mall during the incident,
US Senator Bill Cassidy expressed hope for the victims' recovery and commended the prompt actions of emergency services.
The mall was briefly shut down, while Baton Rouge General Hospital, located nearby, was placed on lockdown. The victims included three seniors from Ascension Episcopal School in Lafayette, who were confirmed by
Lafayette Mayor-President Monique B. Boulet as being among those injured.
Sources: 
A gunfire exchange between two groups at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge on April 23, 2026, left one person dead and five others wounded. Authorities confirmed the shooting, which erupted in the food court, was not random, and five suspects are in custody.
