BOGALUSA, La. — One student was shot and killed outside a Thursday night basketball game at Bogalusa High School, police said another student was hurt.
The deadly shooting happened outside a Thursday night basketball game against Covington High School at around 8:45 p.m. Officers at the Washington Parish high school were able to hear the gunshots from the game.
"Officers working a basketball game at the Bogalusa High School heard numerous gunshots from the area of M.J. Israel Drive at Avenue B," Bogalusa Police said early Friday morning. "Officers responded to this location and located two black male subjects suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers immediately began administering first aid, requesting EMS and began securing the scene."
Those students, both under 18, had been taken to Our Lady of The Angels Hospital, according to the Bogalusa Police Department. One student died in the hospital, another student was still being treated as of early Friday morning.
"The Bogalusa City Schools family is deeply saddened to inform our school community of the tragic incident that occurred during a basketball game tonight, resulting in the loss of one of our students and the injury of another one," Bogalusa City Schools posted Thursday night. "Our top priorities are the well-being and safety of our students and spectators, and we are working closely with local authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident."
The school in Washington Parish had been playing a game against Covington High School, the city's school system telling the Covington Lions basketball team Thursday night "Your safety was our top priority, and we appreciate your patience."
Bogalusa Mayor Tyrin Truong posted on social media around a half hour later, asking those impacted to call Children and Family Success at City Hall (985-732-6200.
"We are working closely with law enforcement to investigate the circumstances," Mayor Truong said. "Our community stands together in grief, and we will do everything in our power to ensure the safety of our residents at public events."