Lafayette senior killed in shooting at Mall of Louisiana

Published: Apr. 24, 2026 at 10:23 AM CDT|Updated: Apr. 24, 2026 at 10:29 AM CDT

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - The Lafayette community is mourning the loss of a high school senior who died after a mass shooting at the Mall of Louisiana.

Martha Odom, 17
Martha Odom, 17(Family photo)

According to Ascension Episcopal School, senior Martha Odom was killed in the shooting, and two other seniors are recovering after also being shot.

“Her classmates, Ascension faculty, and our Blue Gator families remember Martha as a joyful presence whose kindness and infectious enthusiasm brought light to all who knew her,” said school officials in a statement released on Friday.

A total of six people were shot when gunfire rang out in the mall’s food court around 1:22 p.m. on Thursday, April 23.

Police took five people into custody within hours of the shooting, but no arrests have been announced yet.

Authorities are holding a news conference at 2 p.m. on Friday to discuss updates in their investigation.

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