GEISMAR – The sheriff here described Monday morning violence as being caused by renegade criminals up to no good whose lawless and careless attitudes brought gunfire to a dead end street near a school.

Witnesses called authorities after hearing gunfire and seeing a group of people exchanging shots at each other on Carrie Lane off Highway 74 around 10 a.m. When deputies arrived, one person was found shot in the street.

Ascension Parish Sheriff Jeff Wiley said in a colorful rant, yet with an obvious frustrated tone, that “gangsters with guns and vendettas” opened fire on each other.

"I don't know why they picked this road to duel," he said. The situation was one “that we see and encounter in America nowadays... it happened right here on a quiet, little dead end road in Geismar,” Wiley said.

The shooting happened on a street behind Dutchtown High School, but did not require a lock down of the campus. Though, sheriff's deputies were at the school as a precaution, the department revealed.

Two gunman were responsible for the shooting of the victim and drove from the scene. The cars the suspects were driving are believed to be white and grey. 

In a confusing chain of events, the sheriff initially described the victim's condition as grave. Later, the sheriff's spokesperson said the victim had died only to clarify that the individual was in critical condition at a hospital.

Names of those involved have not been released.

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