Hammond school shooting victim has died after April 14 incident at Tangipahoa Alternative School. Juvenile suspect now faces upgraded murder charges.
HAMMOND, LOUISIANA — A school-related shooting in Hammond has turned fatal after the victim injured in the April 14 incident has now died, according to an update released by local authorities on April 18, 2026.
The shooting, which initially left one adult critically injured, occurred at Tangipahoa Alternative School and led to the arrest of a 13-year-old juvenile suspect. Officials have now confirmed that the victim has succumbed to his injuries, escalating the severity of the case.
What happened
The incident unfolded on April 14, 2026, at approximately 7:39 a.m., when a School Resource Officer (SRO) with the Hammond Police Department was alerted by school staff that a 13-year-old student was refusing to exit a vehicle and enter the campus.
Responding officers, including a police lieutenant and the SRO, made contact with the juvenile and an accompanying adult. Following the interaction, the adult chose to leave the school grounds with the juvenile in the vehicle.
As the vehicle began to depart, the SRO reported hearing what sounded like gunshots. Moments later, the juvenile was seen approaching with a firearm.
Authorities say the suspect was quickly taken into custody without further incident.
Police response
Law enforcement responded immediately, securing the suspect and ensuring the safety of students and staff on campus. As a precaution, Tangipahoa Alternative School was placed on a full lockdown.
The campus was later deemed safe, although heightened security measures remained in place while investigators processed the scene and gathered evidence.
Victim information
The adult victim, who was with the juvenile at the time of the incident, sustained serious injuries and was transported to North Oaks Medical Center in critical condition.
In an update issued on April 18, police confirmed that the victim has died from those injuries. The identity of the victim has not yet been publicly released.
Suspect status
The 13-year-old suspect was initially taken into custody and charged with attempted second-degree murder, along with additional charges.
Following the victim’s death, authorities have stated that those charges are expected to be upgraded to second-degree murder as the investigation progresses.
Community reaction
The incident has shaken the Hammond community, particularly due to the involvement of a juvenile and the location at a school. Parents and residents expressed concern about safety and the presence of firearms involving minors.
The swift response by the School Resource Officer was widely noted as a critical factor in preventing further harm.
Official statement
Hammond Chief of Police Edwin Bergeron Jr. condemned the violence, calling it “senseless and outrageous,” and emphasized the importance of having trained officers on school campuses.
“We are incredibly grateful that we had a SRO at the school to intervene and prevent further injuries,” Bergeron said.
In a later statement, the Hammond Police Department extended condolences to the victim’s family, acknowledging the tragic outcome of the incident.
Closing
The investigation remains active and ongoing, with authorities indicating that more information will be released as it becomes available. Police are continuing to review the circumstances leading up to the shooting and the events that followed.