Crime
Victim killed in Ruston shooting identified as 30-year-old Deontrell Hunter
Authorities in Ruston are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Easter Sunday in the parking lot of Y2 Kuts Barbershop, resulting in the death of one man and injuries to five others.
According to the Ruston Police Department (RPD), officers were already in the vicinity responding to reports of a large crowd gathered near the barbershop, located at 302 South Farmerville Street, when gunfire erupted around 10:00 p.m.
Officers rushed to the scene and immediately began rendering first aid to the victims.
Deontrell Marquis Hunter, 30, of Ruston, was identified as the deceased victim.
Five additional individuals sustained non-life-threatening injuries, described by authorities as superficial wounds, and were transported to Northern Louisiana Medical Center, some by private vehicles.
Initial witness accounts indicate the shooting stemmed from an ongoing dispute among extended family members, which reportedly began earlier in the day during a gathering at Mayfield Park.
Police believe the argument escalated throughout the day, ultimately culminating in gunfire later that evening.
Chief Eric Watson of the Ruston Police Department stated that the preliminary investigation suggests multiple individuals were armed with handguns, and that the situation may have involved an exchange of gunfire among several parties.
“This is an active and ongoing investigation,” Chief Watson said Monday. “We are urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has relevant information to come forward. No detail is too small.”
Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Ruston Police Department at (318) 255-4141.
Hunter, the man fatally shot, had a criminal history with arrests dating back to 2011, including a 2019 charge for attempted second-degree murder.
Earlier this year, he was arrested after allegedly crashing a stolen vehicle on Tech Farm Road.
The Ruston Police Department continues to gather evidence and review surveillance footage as they work to identify all individuals involved in the Easter night violence.
Crime
5 dead including 3 children in Silver Rail Elementary shooting in Bend, teenage shooter killed by a Good Samaritan
BEND, Ore. โ Five people were reportedly killed in a shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in southeast Bend, Oregon, on Thursday, October 15, 2026, including three children, one adult victim, and the teenage suspect, according to preliminary information attributed to federal law enforcement.
The reported shooting prompted a major emergency response involving police, fire crews, and emergency medical services.
Authorities issued an alert at approximately 1:17 p.m., warning of a large police presence at the elementary school and urging the public to avoid the area.
According to the information provided, four victims were killed at the school. Three of those victims were children, while the fourth was an adult. The suspected gunman, described in preliminary reports as a teenager, was also reported dead, bringing the reported total to five fatalities.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the identities of the victims and the suspect, had not been fully established in the information available.
Preliminary reports indicated that the suspected gunman was a teenager and was killed after being confronted by a Good Samaritan.
Earlier scanner traffic reportedly indicated that the suspect had been neutralized. Unconfirmed reports suggested that the individual who intervened may have been a father of a student at the school.
However, authorities had not publicly confirmed all the circumstances surrounding the confrontation or independently verified the reported identity and role of the person who intervened.
Investigators are expected to examine the sequence of events leading up to the shooting, how the suspect was stopped, and whether the suspect acted alone.
The first police alert was issued at approximately 1:17 p.m. Thursday. It described a large police presence at Silver Rail Elementary School and instructed the public to stay away from the area.
Fire and emergency medical services personnel were seen responding near the school as authorities worked to address the reported threat and assist those affected.
The shooting prompted urgent concern among families and the surrounding community, particularly after reports indicated that children were among the victims.
Approximately 10 minutes after the initial alert, police announced a reunification site for students and their families at Journey Church, located at 61303 S. Highway 97 in Bend, near Goodwill and Dairy Queen.
Parents and guardians were instructed to go to the designated location to reunite with students and receive further information.
Authorities urged families to follow official instructions and avoid approaching the school while emergency operations continued.
The reported shooting also prompted precautionary security measures at nearby schools. Parents received alerts indicating that Caldera High School and Jewell Elementary School had been placed on lockdown Thursday afternoon.
The lockdowns were reported as law enforcement responded to Silver Rail Elementary and worked to secure the surrounding area.
Further information was needed to establish how long the lockdowns remained in effect and when normal school operations resumed.
Although preliminary information indicated five deaths, including three children, one adult victim, and the teenage suspect, additional official confirmation is needed regarding the victims’ identities, the suspect’s identity, and the circumstances of the shooting.
The reported involvement of a Good Samaritan also requires confirmation from investigators.
This remains a developing story. Further details should be added as law enforcement and school officials release verified information about the shooting and the investigation.