CLINTON — East Feliciana Parish has allegedly spent tens of thousands of dollars to house a 16-year-old suspect in the Clinton Mardi Gras parade shooting that left nine people injured, according to a report by The Advocate. 

According to the paper, the parish Police Jury voted to pay invoices from the Jackson Parish Sheriff's Office for holding 16-year-old Malik Liggins until his 17th birthday. 

Liggins, who was charged with attempted second-degree murder and reckless discharge of a firearm at a parade or demonstration in relation to the shooting, is being charged as an adult. 

According to East Feliciana Parish Prison warden Kenny Sanders, the parish lacks the facilities and programs to house suspects younger than 17. 

Jackson Parish charges $185 per day to hold juveniles awaiting court proceedings, with information given to jurors suggesting the running total for housing Liggins through July was more than $30,000. A payment of $5,954 was allegedly made for an April 6 invoice. 

East Feliciana Parish Sheriff Jeff Travis reportedly worked out a deal with sheriffs in four surrounding parishes to hold four additional shooting suspects without additional costs. According to Sanders, due to the suspects being suspected gang members, they will be held in separate facilities.