Thursday evening in Maringouin turned from ordinary to heartbreaking when gunfire erupted at the Ridgewood Apartments. By 6:12 p.m., deputies with the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office were scrambling to respond—and what they found would shatter a small town. One young life was lost; another was fighting for survival.
Seventeen-year-old Derrien Scott, a student in the Iberville Parish School District, was found suffering fatal gunshot wounds. Despite efforts to save him, he did not survive. A second victim, a 19-year-old also from Maringouin, was transported to a hospital. His condition remains undisclosed as authorities continue their investigation.
News of Derrien’s death hit like a blow across Maringouin. In social circles, online messages, and whispers on the street, one phrase echoed: “He was too kind. Too good.” The teenager had earned respect from classmates and neighbors—not for flashy deeds or grand gestures, but for his consistent warmth, eagerness to help, and strong ties to his community. Mourning poured over his family as condolences, memories, and heartbreak trended across social media.
Sheriff Brett Stassi addressed the tragedy with both gravity and resolve. He confirmed that the investigation is active and that no arrests have yet been made. At this point, details remain tight: no suspects’ names, no stated motives, nothing confirming whether Derrien or his friend were the intended targets—or innocent bystanders caught in the worst possible moment.
“This is a heartbreaking loss for our community,” Sheriff Stassi said, voice heavy with solemn promise. “We’re working diligently to find out exactly what happened and bring justice to the victim and his family.” The sheriff’s office is calling on anyone with information—however small—to step forward.
In small towns like Maringouin, grief doesn’t stay quiet for long. The sense of shock is raw, especially in a place where young people are often known by name, not number. The loss of Derrien is more than a single news item—it’s the fractures in a community that trusted it was safe, now questioning what allowed such violence to take root.
As the investigation continues, Maringouin waits—for answers, for accountability, for some sliver of justice. If you know anything, the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office urges you to come forward. In times like these, the truth may be the only thing that brings a town back from its darkest hour.
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