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On Friday night during the Bogalusa High School homecoming game, a 15-year-old male juvenile was shot and killed just outside of the stadium, according to reports from the Bogalusa Police Department.

Officers were reportedly alerted to a disturbance and began watching the crowd and the surrounding areas when shots were heard just outside of the stadium next to the field house. The crowd scattered and officers located the victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and immediately began administering first aid.

Officers reportedly located approximately 18 to 20 fired rounds. Initial assessments on the crime scene indicated that there were three people exchanging gunfire, and one of them was the victim, BPD officials said.

The victim was treated on the scene by first responders but never regained consciousness. He was transported to the local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased on arrival. He was later identified as Jerry Smith, 15, of Covington.

Detectives are speaking with confidential informants and collecting evidence from nearby video cameras from businesses, but at this time there are no witnesses that have come forward to give any information regarding the shooting, BPD officials said late Saturday morning.

If anyone has any information in this case, they are asked to contact the Bogalusa Police Department’s detectives division at 985-732-3611, or Crime Stoppers at 504-822-1111, for their assistance. Any information that can be provided will be greatly appreciated.

Bogalusa Mayor Wendy Perrette, a BHS alumna, commented on the incident.

“I have had enough of senseless violence,” Perrette said Saturday morning. “Our entire community is fed up with it. People ask me how we’re going to stop it, and my answer is this: We have to stop it together.

“Our police department is well-trained, well-equipped and well-staffed, but unless we have a police officer on every corner, preventing violence is the responsibility of our entire city,” she said. “Police must have the cooperation of every single citizen in both preventing and solving crime. Faith community leaders must step up. Parents must do their jobs. Police alone cannot do this. I cannot do this alone.

“While our law enforcement personnel investigate Friday’s murder, they need our support and help. Somebody knows who is responsible for this horror, and it is your obligation to come forward. I’m in regular communication with Bogalusa police, and will issue further statements as appropriate.”

See related story: https://www.bogalusadailynews.com/2022/10/18/superintendent-responds-to-fatal-shooting-at-bogalusa-high-school-game/