Authorities in Louisiana Investigating Shooting Involving 4-Year-Old Struck by Gunfire, Asking for Help From Public Identifying Suspect

Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office – Authorities in Louisiana are investigating a shooting involving a 4-year-old who was struck by gunfire and are asking for help from the public in identifying a suspect.

According to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright, detectives are actively investigating an overnight incident in Campti that resulted in a 4-year-old child being hospitalized with a gunshot wound.

Deputies assigned to the NPSO Patrol Operations Bureau responded to NATCOM 911 Center reports of “shots fired” in the 200 block of Lake Street in Campti, Louisiana, on Thursday evening, February 23, 2023, at around 10:50 p.m. The caller wanted rapid medical aid for a child who had been shot. Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS and NPSO Deputies arrived to the location. The Campti Police Department also provided assistance.

Deputies said they learned two guys exited a mobile home they were visiting on Lake Street during the first stages of the investigation. An unknown suspect fired multiple rounds into the vehicle shortly after exiting the mobile home and preparing to enter a 2012 Nissan Altima (s).
One victim who entered the vehicle when the shots were being fired was grazed in the head by a bullet. He didn’t need any medical attention.

Authorities suspect the unknown suspect or suspects fled the site on foot after the rounds were fired.
Family members discovered a 4-year-old child standing in the mobile home had been hit by bullets and was suffering from a gunshot wound to the arm shortly after the shooting.

Family members provided quick first aid until deputies arrived to relieve them while waiting for EMS.
Investigators from the NPSO’s Criminal Investigations Division were dispatched to the location. Throughout the evening, detectives photographed and collected many shell casings as they examined the murder scene and interrogated witnesses.

The toddler was taken to Natchitoches Regional Medical Center by EMS and later moved to an unidentified regional trauma facility with a non-life threatening gunshot wound.

Sheriff Wright stated that our detectives have been working throughout the day interviewing the victims and witnesses and following up on leads in an effort to identify the suspect or suspects involved in this senseless shooting.”

Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the NPSO Criminal Investigations Branch at 318-357-7830.

A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.