Months Later, Lafayette Police Seek 5 People From Festival Incident
More than three months after thousands packed Downtown Lafayette for Festival International de Louisiane, police are asking the public to take another look at an incident that happened during the April festival.
Lafayette Crime Stoppers has released surveillance images of five people who investigators say are related to a second-degree battery that occurred during Festival International.
The timing of the request is notable.
The incident happened back in April, but the appeal to the public comes months later, suggesting the investigation remains active and that identifying the people pictured could be an important piece of what investigators are still working to determine.
Why Are Police Releasing These Images Months Later?
Lafayette Crime Stoppers did not provide details explaining why the images are being released now or what investigators have learned since the incident.
It would be speculation to say exactly what led investigators to make the public appeal at this point. However, police are specifically asking for help identifying five individuals connected to the investigation, more than three months after the alleged battery occurred.
That means someone in Acadiana could potentially provide the information investigators need simply by recognizing a face, a group of friends, clothing, or another detail in the surveillance images.
Five People Sought In Festival International Investigation
According to Lafayette Crime Stoppers, all five people pictured are related to a second-degree battery that occurred during Festival International in April 2026.
Authorities have not released additional information about the circumstances surrounding the battery, including exactly where during the festival it happened or the condition of the person who was injured.
Police also have not publicly named the people pictured or announced charges against them.
The images released by Crime Stoppers are fairly grainy, which could make identification difficult for someone casually looking at them. For someone who knows one of the individuals, however, the group itself or other details could be recognizable.
Police Hope Someone Recognizes The Group
With more than three months having passed since Festival International, investigators are now putting the images in front of the public in hopes someone can help identify the five people.
That could include someone who recognizes one of the individuals, remembers seeing the group during Festival International, or has information about what happened.
It could also give anyone pictured in the images an opportunity to contact authorities themselves regarding the investigation.
Anyone who thinks they recognize someone should avoid confronting them or publicly identifying them on social media. Information should instead be provided directly to investigators.
How To Contact Lafayette Crime Stoppers
Anyone with information can call Lafayette Crime Stoppers at 337-232-TIPS (8477). Tips can also be submitted through the P3 Tips mobile app or by dialing **TIPS (8477) from a mobile device.
Crime Stoppers says callers remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
More than three months have passed since Festival International, but Lafayette Police are clearly still working this case. Now investigators are hoping someone in the community recognizes the five people in the images and can provide information that helps move the investigation forward.
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Gallery Credit: Katelyn Leboff
