St. Landry Parish Bans Trail Rides After Weekend Shootings

St. Landry Parish officials have announced a parishwide suspension of trail rides for the remainder of 2026 following multiple shootings tied to a weekend event near the Yambilee Building and Ag Arena grounds in Opelousas.

During a press conference held Monday, Parish President Jessie Bellard confirmed the decision after authorities investigated two separate shooting incidents connected to a trail ride event over the weekend.

According to officials, gunfire erupted near the St. Landry Parish Ag Arena around 1:45 a.m. Sunday morning. Opelousas Police say two victims suffered non-life-threatening gunshot wounds and were transported to a nearby hospital by private vehicle. Multiple vehicles and a camper were also struck by gunfire.

Four Suspects Wanted In Connection With Shooting

The Opelousas Police Department has identified four suspects wanted in connection with the investigation:

• Brandon Zeno, 27, of Lafayette
• Jordan Bernard, 32, of Lafayette
• Hakeem Gloston, 24, of Iowa
• Shakeal Griffin, 30, of Lafayette

Investigators say the suspects are accused of recklessly firing weapons in a manner that endangered lives and caused property damage.

Zeno and Gloston are also facing additional felony firearm charges tied to prior convictions, according to police.

Authorities say another shooting incident happened later Sunday around 5:45 p.m. near the same event grounds.

Security personnel working the event reportedly detained an 18-year-old Lafayette man identified as Kameron Thomas at the scene. He was charged with illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities.

Police say additional arrests and charges are expected as the investigation continues.

Officials Say Public Safety Must Come First

According to KLFY News 10, Parish President Jessie Bellard said the decision to suspend trail rides was made with public safety in mind after repeated violent incidents associated with some large gatherings.

“Public safety must come first,” Bellard said in a statement. “Unfortunately, the violence we witnessed this weekend has forced us to make a difficult decision regarding trail rides moving forward this year.”

Opelousas Police Chief Graig “Twin” LeBlanc also addressed the growing concerns surrounding violence at some trail ride events across Louisiana and the Gulf South.

LeBlanc emphasized that law enforcement was not hired to provide on-site security for the event and explained that officers continue to face dangerous situations when responding to large crowds where gunfire breaks out.

“We support the culture, and we are not against the people who responsibly attend these events,” LeBlanc said. “But no tradition is more important than human life.”

Get our free mobile app

Mixed Reactions Pour In Across Social Media

The decision immediately sparked debate online, with many residents supporting the move while others argued that responsible trail ride participants are being unfairly punished.

Some commenters called for stricter security measures rather than outright cancellations. Others suggested ticketed entry systems and better crowd control to prevent future violence.

“We do that, the criminals win,” one Facebook user wrote while advocating for stronger event management instead of a ban.

Others strongly supported the suspension.

“Better to be safe than sorry,” another commenter wrote, pointing to previous violent incidents tied to trail rides in the region.

Several people also noted that many of the suspects identified by police were not from Opelousas, fueling additional debate about whether local traditions are being damaged by outside violence.

Investigation Remains Ongoing

The Opelousas Police Department says investigators are continuing to review surveillance footage and witness statements as the investigation develops.

Anyone with information about the suspects or the shootings is urged to contact Opelousas Police at 337-948-2500 or St. Landry Crime Stoppers at 337-948-TIPS. Anonymous tips are accepted.