Thursday night’s shooting at Southeastern Louisiana University could’ve rocked the nation coming on the heels of the deadly Buffalo hate crime.
Just three people were shot, sustaining non-life threatening injuries and a fourth was injured.
In the end, suspect Trent Thomas was arrested.
Thomas is facing a number of charges: three counts of attempted second-degree murder, obstruction of justice, aggravated damage to property, and possession of a firearm on a gun-free campus.
Thomas has said he was aiming at person he’d had a conflict with before the event.
But something more than a heat-of-the-moment reaction is hanging over the case.
And now the spectre of gang violence is being raised as Hammond Police say they are searching for a second shooting suspect.
Friday morning Hammond Police said the shooting stemmed from a possible gang related altercation between Thomas and number of people on hand.
One specific is Thomas’ contention his conflict was with a juvenile attending the graduation.
The Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate reports Thomas was fighting with the group of people. Thomas is suspected of pulling a gun and firing at least ten gunshots.
Hammond Police Chief Edwin Bergeron, speaking publicly, stated: “There’s possible gang affiliation involved, but we’re not 100% positive. We’re doing our best to determine a motive.”
