LaPlace Community Mourns the Tragic Loss of Teenager Harold Warren, Jr.

LaPlace Community Mourns the Tragic Loss of Teenager Harold Warren, Jr.

The quiet community of LaPlace, Louisiana, in St. John the Baptist Parish is reeling from profound grief after a shooting claimed the life of 16-year-old Harold Warren, Jr., and left two others injured.

On Wednesday evening, December 17, 2025, shortly before 7 p.m., the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office received a call at 6:53 p.m. reporting gunfire in the 3100 block of English Colony Drive in the Cambridge subdivision.

Deputies arrived to a devastating scene: A 17-year-old male was found lying in a driveway with gunshot wounds to his abdomen and right buttock. He was rushed by ambulance to Ochsner Medical Complex, where he remains in critical condition.

In a nearby wooded backyard area, 16-year-old Harold Warren, Jr., of LaPlace, was discovered with a gunshot wound to the left side of his back. He was also transported to the hospital but was tragically pronounced dead upon arrival.

A third victim, a 19-year-old male shot in the leg, was dropped off at Ochsner Medical Complex in a private vehicle. His injuries are considered non-life-threatening.

Preliminary investigations suggest the shooting stemmed from a gun deal that went wrong, though a motive is still under active review. The Sheriff’s Office continues to probe the incident and urges anyone with information to come forward.

At just 16 years old, Harold Warren, Jr.’s promising life was cut heartbreakingly short, leaving his family, friends, classmates, and the entire LaPlace community shattered. This incident underscores the devastating impact of gun violence on our youth.

Our deepest condolences go out to Harold’s loved ones, as well as to the injured young men and their families as they recover. May strength and healing surround them all. Rest in peace, Harold Warren, Jr.