Crime
Victims Identified in Mamou Mardi Gras Concert Shootings
Authorities have identified the two teenage victims who tragically lost their lives in the recent Mamou Mardi Gras concert shootings, which left two dead and 14 others injured.
Family and friends are mourning the loss of Bryson Green and Alaya Christian, both of whom were struck by gunfire during the violent incidents.
Bryson Green, affectionately known as “BREAL” by his loved ones, is remembered as a protective and lighthearted young man.
“He loved to chill and laugh,” said his parents, Trina and David Green. “Even though he was the youngest of his siblings, he always made sure his sisters were safe and protected wherever they went.” Green leaves behind his parents and five siblings, all of whom are devastated by his loss.
The second victim, Alaya Christian, was an honor student at Lafayette Renaissance Charter High School.
In addition to excelling academically, she was an active member of the school’s softball team and student council.
School leaders expressed their grief over her passing, saying she will be “deeply missed” by the entire school community.
The shootings took place during Mardi Gras celebrations in Mamou, where large crowds had gathered for a concert.
Witnesses described a sudden eruption of gunfire from a fully automatic weapon, triggering mass panic as hundreds of people ran for their lives.
Mamou Police Chief Pat Hall described the aftermath as officers arrived at the scene:
“When we got to the area, we saw several people injured. Two individuals succumbed to their injuries, two are in critical condition at Lafayette General, and the rest are being treated for various gunshot wounds.”
Authorities are still working to determine the motive behind the shootings and whether the two incidents are connected.
This tragedy follows another shooting on Monday, which left three people wounded during the same Mardi Gras celebrations.
Law enforcement officials continue to investigate and urge anyone with information to contact the Mamou Police Department or Evangeline Parish Crime Stoppers.
Authorities have identified the man shot and killed Friday afternoon in a parking lot outside a Little Caesars restaurant in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood.
The victim has been named as Stevens Jeffrey, 29, according to police and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The shooting occurred in the 2600 block of West Cermak Road near Rockwell Street at approximately 1:10 p.m., according to the Chicago Police Department (CPD).
Preliminary reports indicate that Jeffrey was sitting in his vehicle when he was approached by an unknown vehicle.
An armed individual exited that vehicle and opened fire, striking Jeffrey multiple times in the face and body.
Emergency responders arrived on the scene, where Jeffrey was pronounced dead. He was discovered inside his vehicle with his two young children, ages 4 and 6, who were unharmed.
Both children were transported to Stroger Hospital for precautionary evaluation.
The shooting took place in the parking lot of a Little Caesars restaurant, where investigators recovered multiple shell casings and placed numerous evidence markers on the ground.
As of Friday evening, no suspects are in custody, and detectives from the CPD Area Four Homicide Unit are leading the investigation. Police have not released information on a possible motive.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about this homicide to contact Chicago Police or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTip.com.