HAMMOND, La. — Four people were injured Thursday night during the dismissal stage of a high school graduation on the campus of Southeastern Louisiana University, authorities said.
Members of the Hammond High School senior class were leaving their ceremony when shots rang out, WBRZ-TV reported.
The injuries sustained by the people were not believed to be life-threatening, Hammond police Chief Edwin Bergeron Jr. said during a news conference. Bergeron said no juveniles were among the people wounded.
“The most important thing we need to know is that right now Hammond is safe. Southeastern is safe,” Bergeron told reporters.
BREAKING: University spokesman says four people were injured during a shooting outside the University Center on SLU's campus. Minor to severe injuries. Happened as people were leaving Hammond High School's graduation ceremony being held inside. @WWLTV #wwltv pic.twitter.com/8dbq2cDzx7
— Mike McDaniel (@McDanielWWLTV) May 20, 2022
SLU police said one person was taken into custody as a person of interest, The Advocate reported.
University officials announced the incident on Twitter.
“A shooting has occurred on campus after the Hammond High graduation ceremony,” university officials wrote. “One person is in custody and there are multiple victims. While there is no danger posed to others, please remain away from the UC area as police are still investigating the crime.”
A shooting has occurred on campus after the Hammond High graduation ceremony. One person is in custody and there are multiple victims. While there is no danger posed to others, please remain away from the UC area as police are still investigating the crime.
— Southeastern LA Univ (@oursoutheastern) May 20, 2022
Hammond Schools Superintendent Melissa Stilley said the shots were fired as students went to meet their relatives and guests, according to the newspaper.
“We had a normal graduation for Hammond High School within the building,” Stilley said during the news conference. “When our graduates were ready to dismiss and the families were outside to greet them, outside the University Center, that’s when the shots began to fire.
“We apologize to our families and to our students that this night, what should have been a very happy occasion for our graduates and their families, ended on such a sad note, and we pray for the families that were impacted directly, and our students, who will always have this memory of this graduation on their minds.”
An all-clear message by the university was given several hours after the shooting, WAFB-TV reported.
Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana reacted to the news on Facebook, sending prayers to the students and their families. involved.
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