With the help of a former Dateline NBC correspondent, the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office busts several men in an online solicitation sting. Andrew Greenstein reports.
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A Mardi Gras celebration in Mamou turns into a mass shooting that left two people dead. Colleen Crain has more.
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New Orleans had a rocky start in 2025, but after a successful Super Bowl, the city can also boast about a successful Mardi Gras. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell.
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Cantrell credits a strong partnership between local, state, and federal law enforcement.
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NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says Governor Jeff Landry’s emergency declaration following the Bourbon Street attack allowed for more federal resources that helped make sure Mardi Gras was safe.
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With the help of former Dateline NBC correspondent Chris Hansen, the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested 11 men in a recent online solicitation sting. Last month, the sheriff’s office had deputies pose as 14-year-olds online during the sting. Sheriff Jason Ard says all of them agreed to meet who they thought was the 14-year-old at a house.
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Hansen says what’s especially scary is that many people arrested were everyday people, some working in positions in which they were routinely around children.
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Hansen hosted a segment on Dateline NBC called “To Catch A Predator” from 2004 to 2007, during which he confronted dozens of men who showed up at a house thinking that they were meeting a teenage boy or girl for sex. He says he thought people would catch on after the first couple segments, but they didn’t – and they haven’t.
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Today, the concept is the focus of Hansen’s web series, “TakeDown with Chris Hansen,” which streams on the TruBlu streaming service that he co-founded. As for the suspects in this sting operation, all 11 are charged with felonies; three were found to be in the country illegally and have ICE holds on them.
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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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An Oil City man was arrested at Northwood High School after allegedly threatening and attacking a school resource officer with an umbrella. Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office Lt. Breck Scott says 70-year-old Gary Fenner arrived at the school around 9 a.m. to pick up his grandchild but was denied access due to a tornado-related lockdown.
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Scott says Fenner got up and attempted to fight. Nunnery and a school security officer subdued and arrested him. Fenner faces multiple charges, including battery of a peace officer and resisting arrest. Scott says this isn’t the first time encountering Fenner.
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Scott emphasized when schools are on lockdown its for security purposes to protect students and faculty.
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Fenner is being held at Caddo Correctional Center.