Police in Thibodaux said investigators are working to identify suspects after overnight gunfire wounded seven people.
THIBODAUX, La. — Seven people were injured after gunfire broke out outside a nightclub in southeastern Louisiana early Sunday, sending victims to nearby hospitals and prompting a large police investigation.
Thibodaux Police Chief Bryan Zeringue said officers responded shortly after midnight to reports of multiple shots fired outside a crowded nightclub along North Canal Boulevard. Authorities said officers found several victims suffering from gunshot wounds in the parking lot and surrounding area while others were driven to hospitals by friends and family before emergency crews arrived.
Investigators said the shooting appeared to begin after an argument involving several people outside the club. Witnesses told police that panic spread as gunfire erupted and people ran for cover near parked vehicles and nearby businesses. Authorities said at least seven people, ranging in age from late teens to early 30s, were hurt. Most injuries were described as non-life-threatening, though at least one victim remained under close medical observation Sunday afternoon.
Police secured the area for several hours while detectives collected shell casings, reviewed surveillance footage and interviewed witnesses. Officers blocked sections of nearby streets as investigators searched for evidence around the club entrance and parking areas. Authorities did not immediately say how many shooters may have been involved or whether any arrests had been made by late Sunday.
The shooting renewed concerns about late-night violence around entertainment venues in parts of southern Louisiana. Thibodaux, a city of about 15,000 residents roughly 60 miles southwest of New Orleans, has experienced several high-profile shootings in recent years, though city leaders have said violent crime overall remains below levels seen in larger metropolitan areas.
Police urged witnesses and nearby businesses to provide cellphone video or security footage that could help identify those responsible. Investigators said detectives were reviewing social media posts connected to gatherings at the nightclub before the shooting. Authorities also were working to determine whether the people involved knew each other before the confrontation escalated.
Mayor Kevin Clement said city officials were monitoring the investigation and supporting law enforcement efforts. Community leaders and residents expressed concern about the number of people gathered in the area when the shooting began. Some nearby residents told reporters they heard rapid gunfire followed by screaming and car horns as crowds fled the scene.
By Sunday evening, investigators had not announced charges or released suspect descriptions. Police said additional updates were expected after detectives completed more witness interviews and processed evidence collected from the scene.
Author note: Last updated May 26, 2026.