Erath’s parents speak out after fatal shooting

ST. MARTINVILLE – A tragic turn of events at the St. Martinville High School homecoming game… A shooting on school grounds Friday night leaves one dead and another behind bars, but the shooting remains, too – parents in the Erath community are shaken and riddled with questions about how all this happened at all.

“When I watch the video of our kids running for their lives, I’m angry and I’m still in shock,” said an Erat parent who was at the prom game Friday night to watch her child play in the game. against St. Louis. .Martinville High School.

Parents from Erath who attended yesterday’s game spoke out but asked not to be named. They recall the frightening moments of Friday night when they went to watch their son play.

I walked in front of the school and then shots rang out,” said one parent.

Sisters Charlotte Gutierrez and Roslyn Ward live-streamed the game for the entire family as it all unfolded.

“I said, ‘Oh my god, they’re shooting,’ then the guy announced he was looking for cover and people were running everywhere,” Ward said.

“I actually had a student from St. Martinville High School run up to me for safety and it was her first soccer game; she was terrified,” the parent said.

Zakirik Gardner, 22, is under arrest in connection with the shooting that left one person dead.

St. Martinville Chief Ricky Martin told me the shooting happened minutes before homecoming. I also learned that the two men involved in the shooting were former St. Martinville students who visited the back door located on the school grounds. Police also believe both men were involved in a dispute that occurred several weeks ago.

“This has affected all the children, not only our children, but you, the graduates of this school; you have to grow up enough to do the right thing,” said another Erat parent.

The mayor confirms that the St. Martinville Alumni Association installed the tailgate just hours before the game.

“Hearing my son’s voice when he called me to let everyone know they were okay. No child should have to go through this and call us and ask if their family is okay,” said a concerned parent.

And after this shooting, parents lost trust in the city of St. Martinville.

“We were invited to St. Martinville and we no longer feel safe there,” the parent said.

And the high school student, taken to safety… has now changed his mind.

“We kept in touch with each other and found out she returned her prom dress because she was too scared to go to the dance,” the parent said.

St. Martinville High School’s homecoming dance continued Saturday night under heavy security.

At this time, police say the investigation is ongoing.