KATC is reporting that Lafayette police confirm one person is dead and two others are injured after a shooting occurred in the 400 block of Jefferson Street at midnight.

UPDATE: Lafayette Police have released updated information on Saturday night's fatal shooting in Downtown Lafayette.

Lafayette Police have identified the victim in Saturday night’s fatal shooting as 23 year old George Ford of New Iberia. Ford died after suffering a single gunshot wound.

Investigators have determined that the victim was engaged in an altercation with multiple individuals on scene, which led to the subsequent shooting that occurred.

Deiondra Benjamin (b/m 11-4-99) of St. Martinville was arrested early Sunday morning after officers observed him firing a handgun as he fled the area after the initial shooting. Benjamin was pursued and apprehended in the area. He was found in possession of a handgun at that time and confessed to discharging the weapon as he ran. However, investigators have not determined that Benjamin was in the exact area of the fatal shooting or responsible for the death of George Ford. Benjamin has been charged with Attempted Second Degree Murder for firing a weapon toward a crowd of people. He has NOT been charged in connection to the death of the victim.

Our earlier press conference had to be cancelled due to new leads that developed in this case just moment before it was scheduled to be held.  Investigators are following new leads and information to close this case as quickly and efficiently as possible.

The shooting, which happened during Festival International weekend, forced police to shut down all the bars and clubs in the downtown Lafayette district.

Although police stated the shooting appears to have stemmed from an isolated incident after Festival hours, Festival International released a statement acknowledging the events that unfolded.

According, to eyewitnesses on the scene, the person shooting in front of Legend's on Jefferson was a black male wearing a white shirt.

Lafayette Police have issued the following statement on the fatal downtown shooting:

On April 30, 2017 at approximately 12:00am, Lafayette Police responded to a shooting amidst a crowd in the 400 block of Jefferson St. One person is dead and two more sustained non-life threatening injuries as a result.  The shooting occurred after Festival International activities had concluded for the evening and appears to have stemmed from an isolated incident between individuals in the area.  Detectives with the Lafayette Police Department are investigating the shooting at this time.

Anyone with information about this shooting or the individuals involved is asked to contact the Lafayette Police Department or Lafayette Crime Stoppers at 232-TIPS.

(WARNING: RAW VIDEO CONTAINS NSFW LANGUAGE)

 

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