DUBBERLY, LA - Officials have said that six people were injured during a shooting that broke out at a large scale bonfire during the night on Saturday, January 11th.
According to reports, an investigation is underway with the Webster Parish Sheriff's Office (WPSO) saying that two of the people injured at the #BigBlessed Littest Bonfire Pt. 3 are in critical condition. The shooting happened in the 5100 block of Louisiana Highway 531 in Dubberly. Deputies with WPSO responded to the event just before midnight after reports of shots fired.
WPSO Sheriff Jason Parker said, "What we have is a very large crime scene with hundreds of people involved and we're still investigating. Ouf office knew nothing about this event in advance." The department first learned of the bonfire when it was posted on social media. An event poster said that a $15 entry fee would include complimentary drinks and food, a DJ, and strictly enforced security.
Upon arriving at the event, deputies discovered a lady collecting entry fees and handing out armbands. Parker said, "We are told she started with around 350 armbands. We're still talking to people, but there was no licensed security we're aware of at this time." The majority of the gunshot victims left the scene before deputies arrived and when deputies arrived, the party was still in progress.
Parker said, "When we got there people were still partying as if nothing had happened. Our deputies couldn't get to the site because of the traffic. They had to park on the highway and walk to the scene. If we had needed emergency vehicles, they would not have been able to get in there."
Parker said that there is a parish ordinance in place to bring structure to such events and that he is extremely disappointed that this bonfire party did not appear to have followed the process. He said, "We don't know the reasons for the shootings yet, but this is what can happen when you have a combination of large uncontrolled crowds, music, and alcohol plus little or no security."
KSLA reported that two suspects have been arrested in connection with the shooting incident. The suspects have been identified as 22-year-old Jacolby Tryone Snell and 23-year-old Zyan Adominick-Jaire Stanley. Snell was arrested on Monday, January 13th following an interview with investigators.
During a search of his home, detectives found two firearms which had been modified with a Glock switch that converts the pistol into an automatic machine gun. Stanley surrendered himself to police just before 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 14th. He was accompanied by his attorney.
Stanley has been charged with six counts of attempted first-degree murder while Snell was booked as an accessory after the fact and two counts of modifying a pistol to a machine gun. They are both being held at the Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center. Stanley's bond has been set at $900,00 and Snell's is $120,000.
Parker said in a statement, "Our detectives and all our deputies put in a lot of hours and conducted many interviews to bring these suspects into custody. Even though we have these two, we will continue to investigate the incident." The two victims in critical condition appear to be improving, as noted by the sheriff's office.
According to reports, an investigation is underway with the Webster Parish Sheriff's Office (WPSO) saying that two of the people injured at the #BigBlessed Littest Bonfire Pt. 3 are in critical condition. The shooting happened in the 5100 block of Louisiana Highway 531 in Dubberly. Deputies with WPSO responded to the event just before midnight after reports of shots fired.
WPSO Sheriff Jason Parker said, "What we have is a very large crime scene with hundreds of people involved and we're still investigating. Ouf office knew nothing about this event in advance." The department first learned of the bonfire when it was posted on social media. An event poster said that a $15 entry fee would include complimentary drinks and food, a DJ, and strictly enforced security.
Upon arriving at the event, deputies discovered a lady collecting entry fees and handing out armbands. Parker said, "We are told she started with around 350 armbands. We're still talking to people, but there was no licensed security we're aware of at this time." The majority of the gunshot victims left the scene before deputies arrived and when deputies arrived, the party was still in progress.
Parker said, "When we got there people were still partying as if nothing had happened. Our deputies couldn't get to the site because of the traffic. They had to park on the highway and walk to the scene. If we had needed emergency vehicles, they would not have been able to get in there."
Parker said that there is a parish ordinance in place to bring structure to such events and that he is extremely disappointed that this bonfire party did not appear to have followed the process. He said, "We don't know the reasons for the shootings yet, but this is what can happen when you have a combination of large uncontrolled crowds, music, and alcohol plus little or no security."
KSLA reported that two suspects have been arrested in connection with the shooting incident. The suspects have been identified as 22-year-old Jacolby Tryone Snell and 23-year-old Zyan Adominick-Jaire Stanley. Snell was arrested on Monday, January 13th following an interview with investigators.
During a search of his home, detectives found two firearms which had been modified with a Glock switch that converts the pistol into an automatic machine gun. Stanley surrendered himself to police just before 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 14th. He was accompanied by his attorney.
Stanley has been charged with six counts of attempted first-degree murder while Snell was booked as an accessory after the fact and two counts of modifying a pistol to a machine gun. They are both being held at the Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center. Stanley's bond has been set at $900,00 and Snell's is $120,000.
Parker said in a statement, "Our detectives and all our deputies put in a lot of hours and conducted many interviews to bring these suspects into custody. Even though we have these two, we will continue to investigate the incident." The two victims in critical condition appear to be improving, as noted by the sheriff's office.
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