Dubberly, LA — Six people were injured, two critically, after gunfire broke out late Saturday during a large unpermitted event advertised as “#BigBlessed Littest Bonfire Pt. 3.” The gathering took place on private property in the 5100 block of LA Hwy. 531 and drew hundreds of attendees, according to Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker.
“What we have is a very large crime scene with hundreds of people involved, and we’re still investigating,” Parker said Sunday.
Deputies were dispatched to the rural location shortly before midnight after reports of gunfire. Sheriff Parker noted that the event, which was widely promoted on social media, had not been disclosed to law enforcement prior to Saturday evening, nor was there any evidence of a required permit for the gathering.
“Our office knew nothing about this event in advance,” Parker stated. “We’re currently investigating whether organizers applied for a permit, but at this time, it appears they did not.”
Promotional materials for the event advertised live performances, a DJ, free food and drinks, and a $15 entry fee. The poster also claimed that “security [would be] strictly enforced,” but Parker said deputies found no evidence of licensed security.
“What we found for security was a lady collecting entry fees and handing out armbands,” he said. “She reportedly started with around 350 armbands. We’re still interviewing witnesses, but it appears there was no professional security on-site.”
When deputies arrived, they discovered that several victims had already been transported from the scene by private individuals. Despite the shootings, the party continued unabated.
“When we got there, people were still partying as if nothing had happened,” Parker said. “Traffic congestion prevented our deputies from driving directly to the site—they had to park on the highway and walk in. If emergency vehicles had been required, they would not have been able to access the area.”
Sheriff Parker expressed frustration with the lack of planning and adherence to parish ordinances, which require organizers of large events to provide adequate notice and security.
“I am extremely disappointed that this event doesn’t appear to have followed due process,” he said. “We want to maintain order in the parish, and ordinances are in place to help prevent situations like this. Large, uncontrolled crowds combined with music, alcohol, and little or no security can lead to dangerous outcomes, as we’ve seen here.”
The investigation is ongoing and may take time due to the large number of attendees who need to be interviewed. Sheriff Parker urged anyone with information about the event or the shootings to contact the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office at (318) 377-1515. All tips will remain confidential.
“We are committed to getting to the bottom of this,” Parker said. “Our goal is to ensure the safety of everyone in our community and prevent similar incidents in the future.”
