13-Year-Old Arrested After Shooting at Hammond School

Incident occurred during student drop-off at Tangipahoa Alternative School

Apr. 14, 2026 at 5:21pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a spent shell casing on the ground, with a harsh, direct camera flash illuminating the metallic texture and creating dramatic shadows, conceptually representing the violence of a school shooting without depicting any graphic imagery.The aftermath of a school shooting incident exposes the harsh realities of gun violence in educational settings.Hammond Today

A 13-year-old student was arrested after allegedly opening fire on a school resource officer and a Hammond Police Department lieutenant during a student drop-off incident at Tangipahoa Alternative School in Hammond, Louisiana. The adult driver of the vehicle the student was in was critically injured in the shooting.

Why it matters

School shootings and gun violence involving minors are an ongoing crisis in the United States, raising concerns about student mental health, access to firearms, and the ability of schools and law enforcement to respond effectively to such threats.

The details

According to police, the 13-year-old student was refusing to get out of a car during student drop-off at Tangipahoa Alternative School. A school resource officer and a Hammond Police Department lieutenant were called to the scene. After speaking with the officers, the adult driver decided to bring the child home, at which point shots were fired from inside the vehicle. The student then allegedly approached the officers with a gun, but was arrested without further incident. The adult driver was critically injured in the shooting and taken to North Oaks Medical Center.

  • The incident occurred during student drop-off at Tangipahoa Alternative School on the morning of April 14, 2026.

The players

Tangipahoa Alternative School

A school in Hammond, Louisiana that serves students with behavioral or academic challenges.

Hammond Police Department

The local law enforcement agency in Hammond, Louisiana that responded to the shooting incident.

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What’s next

The 13-year-old student has been arrested and the investigation into the shooting is ongoing. The adult driver remains in critical condition at the hospital.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenge of gun violence and school safety, particularly when it involves minors. It underscores the need for comprehensive solutions addressing student mental health, firearm access, and school security protocols.