Five injured in shooting in Louisiana, US
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A mass shooting at a parade in Franklinton, Louisiana, left five people injured, police reported.
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New Orleans police officer collects evidence at the scene of a shooting at the intersection of Frenchman Street at N. Villere on Mother's Day in New Orleans, on Sunday, May 12, 2013. (AP)
Eighteen-year-old Jamerian Anders was arrested on five counts of attempted first-degree murder following a mass shooting at a parade in Franklinton, Louisiana, police said in a press release. Authorities indicated that more arrests are likely.
The shooting occurred around 7 pm near the parade route and was described by police as gang-related. Officers from the Franklinton Police Department and deputies from the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office, stationed in the area, rushed to assist the victims, providing emergency medical aid until paramedics arrived to transport them to the hospital.
Three of the victims remain hospitalized—one in critical condition and two in stable but guarded condition—while the other two have been released.
Anders was arrested at 11:40 pm after police said he provided a voluntary statement during questioning, in which "he implicated himself." The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are continuing to search for additional suspects.
A possible motive for the shooting has not been disclosed by law enforcement. In an unrelated incident earlier that day, police arrested two youths carrying firearms along the parade route within a school zone. Additionally, a report of gunshots led officers to find a person armed with an AR-15-style rifle.
America and gun violence
Gun violence is a frequent issue in the United States. Despite public opinion polls showing a desire for stricter gun regulations, the strong influence of the gun rights lobby, constitutional protections, and a deeply ingrained gun culture create significant political obstacles to enacting tighter controls.
The 2022 gun safety legislation passed by Congress was the most significant in decades, enhancing background checks and supporting states with "Red Flag" laws that allow the confiscation of weapons from individuals deemed high-risk. Advocates argue that more comprehensive measures are necessary.
In that same year, over 48,000 people died from gun-related incidents, prompting the surgeon general to issue a landmark advisory declaring gun violence a "public health crisis."
While the Republicans remain strong advocates for the right to bear arms, Democrats have long sought a law that controls guns.
In 2023 alone, over 42,000 people were killed by gun violence in the US. Over half of these deaths were suicides. The other half is attributed to unintentional shootings, murders, and defensive gun use, according to a Sputnik report.
While 2023 recorded over 502 mass shootings, 2024 saw 586 mass shootings, resulting in over 700 deaths, which depicts a dramatic increase in incidents involving mass shootings. In 2025, there have been more than 30 shootings as of now, with January 1 recording four.
Despite these alarming statistics, gun laws in America remain loose.
