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Baton Rouge Mall Food Court Shooting Injures At Least Five After Fight Between Two Groups

A shooting erupted Thursday in the food court of the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge after a fight between two groups, injuring at least five people who were taken to area hospitals.

Governor Jeff Landry said authorities were responding to an active shooter at the Mall of Louisiana and urged the public to avoid the area while law enforcement secured the scene. Attorney General Liz Murrill and a mall spokesperson said the gunfire happened in the food court, and images posted online showed a major police presence.

Initial reports left open the possibility of a lone random attacker, but investigators now say the gunfire followed an argument between two groups that escalated into an exchange of shots.

Coverage shifted over hours: early posts and officials framed the incident as an active shooter response, while later reporting, led by CBS, emphasized the feud between rival groups and revised injury counts upward.

At least five victims were taken to hospitals, though some outlets later reported as many as 10 injured; authorities have not confirmed fatalities and say the investigation is ongoing.

Gun Violence and Public Safety Baton Rouge and Louisiana Crime Public Safety and Crime Louisiana Government and Politics Mass Shootings and Gun Violence
This story is compiled from 6 sources using AI-assisted curation and analysis. Original reporting is attributed below. Learn about our methodology.

📌 Key Facts

  • A shooting occurred in the food court at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge.
  • Investigators say the gunfire followed an argument that escalated between two rival groups, rather than the act of a lone random attacker.
  • Authorities later reported at least 10 people were injured; at least five victims were taken to hospitals.
  • Early reports from officials did not immediately confirm numbers of injuries or fatalities, and details evolved as the investigation continued.
  • Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry posted on X confirming an 'active shooter' response, urged the public to avoid the area, said he was coordinating with law enforcement, and later thanked officers for their quick response.
  • Mall spokesperson Lindsay Kahn confirmed a shooting occurred and referred questions to police.
  • Images and posts online showed a major police presence at the mall, and several news outlets described the incident as a mass shooting.

📰 Source Timeline (6)

Follow how coverage of this story developed over time

April 23, 2026
11:17 PM
2 rival groups open fire in Louisiana mall food court
https://www.facebook.com/CBSEveningNews/
New information:
  • CBS characterizes the shooters as two 'rival groups' involved in a feud that escalated in the food court.
  • Confirms at least five people were taken to the hospital after the gunfire.
  • Reinforces that the confrontation and shooting occurred specifically in the food court area of the Mall of Louisiana.
9:30 PM
Thursday’s Mini-Report, 4.23.26
MS NOW by Steve Benen
New information:
  • Mini-report reiterates that 10 people were injured in the Louisiana shopping mall shooting, framed as the latest mass shooting in the state.
  • No new details are added beyond what is already in the existing Baton Rouge mall story.
8:24 PM
At least 10 people injured in Mall of Louisiana shooting between 2 groups, police say
https://www.facebook.com/CBSNews/
New information:
  • Police now say at least 10 people were injured in the Mall of Louisiana shooting.
  • Investigators attribute the shooting to an argument between two groups, rather than a lone random attacker.
  • CBS segment frames the incident as a mass shooting and notes that law enforcement has provided this causal account.
7:52 PM
Police responding to active shooter at Baton Rouge mall, Louisiana Gov. Landry says
PBS News by Associated Press
New information:
  • Attorney General Liz Murrill said the shooting occurred in the mall's food court.
  • Mall spokesperson Lindsay Kahn confirmed that a shooting happened and referred questions to police.
  • Governor Landry publicly thanked law enforcement and said he and his wife were grateful for the quick response.
  • Images posted online showed a major police presence at the mall.
7:28 PM
Law enforcement responding to 'active shooter' at Mall of Louisiana: Gov Landry
Fox News
New information:
  • Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry publicly confirmed on X that authorities were responding to an 'active shooter' at the Mall of Louisiana.
  • Landry stated he was in coordination with law enforcement and urged the public to avoid the area.
  • Officials have not yet confirmed the number of injuries or fatalities or what led to the shooting.