Erath’s parents speak out after deadly shooting

ST.MARTINVILLE — Tragic events at the St.Martinville High School graduation game… One died and the other remained behind bars following a shooting on school grounds Friday night, but the shooting was also left behind; The parents of the Erath community are shaken and filled with questions about how this all happened in the first place.

He attended his child’s homecoming game in St. Petersburg on Friday night. .Martinville High School.

Erath’s parents, who attended last night’s game, are speaking out but have asked not to be identified. They remember chilling moments Friday night when they came to watch their son play.

“I walked towards the front of the school and that’s when shots were fired,” said a parent.

Siblings Charlotte Goutierrez and Roslyn Ward were livestreaming the game for their family when everything came to light.

“I said, ‘Oh my God, they’re shooting,’ and then the guy announced he was going to seek shelter and people were running everywhere,” Ward said.

“I actually had a St. Martinville High School student run to me for his safety, and it was his first football game; he was so scared,” the parent said.

Zackyric Gardner, 22, is being held in connection with a shooting that left one person dead.

St. Martinville Chief Ricky Martin told me the shooting occurred just minutes before the homecoming game. Additionally, the two men involved in the shooting were believed to have been on the old St. Louis train track, which led to the tailgate on school grounds. I also learned that there were Martinville students. Police also believe both men were involved in the beef incident that occurred weeks ago.

“This has affected all children, not just our children, you are Alumni of this school; you should be old enough to behave properly,” another Erath parent said.

The mayor confirmed that the St. Martinville Alumni Association closed its tailgate just a few hours before the game.

“Hearing my son’s voice calling me and letting me know everyone is okay. A child shouldn’t have to call us and ask if his family is okay,” the concerned parent said.

And after this attack, these parents went to St. They lost confidence in the city of Martinville.

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

And the high school student who was brought to safety… has now changed his mind.

“We stayed in touch with each other and learned that she returned her graduation gown because she was too scared to attend the dance,” the parent said.

St. Martinville High School continued its homecoming dance with extra security on Saturday night.

As of now, police say this is an ongoing investigation.