Zydeco artist CHRIS ARDOIN (Courtesy of Chris Ardoin)
At least two people are reportedly dead and many more were injured from gunfire during a Mardi Gras celebration in the Evangeline Parish town of Mamou. Shots were fired when musician Chris Ardoin was performing at the Mamou Mardi Gras Zydeco concert. Ardoin went on Facebook to say he’s done performing outdoor shows.
“If it ain’t set up right when I get there, I’m not playing. This is why: I want to be able to make it back home. I want everybody that’s there to make it home,” Ardoin said.
There is reportedly one person in custody. Ardoin says he and his band members are okay but shaken up. He says this was the first time he had one of his sons on stage with him, because he wanted to attend Mardi Gras for the first time.
“I threw my accordion down and before I could, a couple of my band members had already pulled him (Ardoin’s son) down. I got on top of him, and the police and the sheriff got in front of us to shield us,” Ardoin said.
Ardoin says he was previously shot in 2021 while performing at the Louisiana Mudfest in Grant Parish, which is also outdoors. Ardoin doesn’t understand why something like this would happen.
“Why would you come to an event with a gun like that, like you’re fighting in a war? Within five seconds, I know that thing let off at least 100 rounds,” Ardoin said.
Mamou Police are also investigating a shooting on Monday night that wounded several people. It’s unknown if the two shootings are connected.
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