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The incident took place at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge, La. on Thursday, April 23

One person is dead and at least five others are recovering from injuries sustained in a shooting at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge, La.

At around 1:22 p.m. local time on Thursday, April 23, an officer assigned to the mall and a deputy from the sheriff’s department who was in the mall’s parking lot responded to shots being fired, said Baton Rouge Police Chief Thomas Morse Jr. in a press conference, per WDSU News. Dozens of law enforcement officials also arrived at the scene within minutes.

“Our investigators learned a total of six victims, one of whom unfortunately succumbed to their injuries,” said Morse, per WDSU News. “We’re not going to be sharing any information tonight about those victims, so the families are able to adequately notify next of kin,” he said.

Law enforcement personnel respond to reports of a shooting at Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge, La., Thursday, April 23, 2026

Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge on April 23, 2026.AP Photo/Matthew Hinton

One victim has undergone surgery, while four others sustained minor injuries, WBRZ reported. Police initially reported that 10 people had been injured, but the number has since been revised, according to CNN.

During the press conference on Thursday, Morse said the incident was “not a random act,” but rather a disagreement between two different groups of people inside a food court.

“Unfortunately, innocent victims got caught in the crossfire,” he said.

Law enforcement personnel respond to reports of a shooting at Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge, La., Thursday, April 23, 2026

Police at Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge on Thursday, April 23, 2026.AP Photo/Matthew Hinton

During the press conference, the police chief stated that five people are currently in custody and one weapon has been recovered.

Officials are urging the public to continue sending videos and pictures to the police as they believe “there are still more suspects out there.”

Police and Sheriff deputies respond to a mass shooting at the Mall of Louisiana, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Baton Rouge, La

Police at the Mall of Louisiana, Thursday, April 23, 2026.AP Photo/Matthew Hinton

While police have not publicly shared the identities of the victims, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said students from Ascension Episcopal School in Lafayette are among them.

In a statement to PEOPLE, Ascension Episcopal School said, “We are heartbroken by the news that some of our students were injured in a serious off-campus incident. We ask our community to join us in holding our school in prayer during this incredibly difficult time.”

“Out of deep respect for the families and the sensitivity of this situation, we will not be sharing additional details at this time. Our priority is the care of our students and school family,” the statement concluded.

Monique Blanco Boulet, Lafayette Parish Mayor-President, shared a statement on social media: “We are heartbroken by the senseless violence that happened today at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge. The victims include three seniors from Ascension Episcopal School here in Lafayette.”

PEOPLE has reached out to the Baton Rouge police and Ascension Episcopal School for further comment amid the ongoing investigation.