CLARENCE, La. – The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office (NPSO) is investigating a shooting that occurred at a trail ride event on Catholic Lane in Clarence, Louisiana, on the evening of Saturday, March 22, 2025.
According to Sheriff Stuart Wright, deputies responded to multiple reports of gunfire at approximately 7:47 p.m. Upon arrival, they encountered heavy traffic and a large crowd of over a thousand attendees.
Authorities located four individuals suffering from gunshot wounds. Emergency medical personnel from Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS and the Air EVAC Life Team helicopter were dispatched to the scene. The victims, all from Shreveport, were transported to medical facilities as follows:
• A 16-year-old male was taken privately to Natchitoches Regional Medical Center with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.
• A 22-year-old woman was transported to Natchitoches Regional Medical Center with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.
• A 16-year-old male was transported to a regional trauma center with a gunshot wound.
• A 20-year-old male was airlifted to a regional trauma center with a gunshot wound.
The NPSO Criminal Investigations Bureau and the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations are leading the investigation. Detectives determined that the suspect or suspects fled the scene before law enforcement arrived.
To aid in evidence collection, special lighting equipment from Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection District #9 was deployed, allowing investigators to process and photograph the crime scene for over three hours.
Officials confirmed that the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office was not involved in providing security for the event, which was instead handled by a private security group.
The investigation remains active, and authorities urge anyone with information or video footage to come forward.
Anyone with relevant details is encouraged to contact the NPSO Criminal Investigations Bureau at (318) 357-7830, the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office at (318) 357-7851, or Crime Stoppers of Natchitoches at (318) 238-2388. Callers may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward.
Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
