SERVING THE PARISHES OF EAST FELICIANA AND WEST FELICIANA
DEMOCRAT THE ST. FRANCISVILLE
T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
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W e d n e s d ay, F e b r u a ry 4, 2026
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Teen charged as an adult in shooting Leila Pitchford AROUND THE FELICIANAS
Auditions set for COA fundraiser Auditions are set for Saturday for a musical concert fundraiser for the East Feliciana Parish Council on Aging, Caroline Harrel, spokesperson for the event’s organizers, said. Performers from the Felicianas are encouraged to tryout at the Jackson site of the COA from 10 a.m. until noon in the former VFW Hall. The fundraising event will be March 28 and is being planned by the art department of the EFPCOA. Harrell said they are working to get the word out about the auditions, “calling all performers — singers, musicians, comedians, etc.” to audition for the special event. The event is to showcase the talents of the people of the Felicianas and raise money for the COA, Harrell said. The COA art department’s fundraisers have funded various items and programs for the organization. The money raised in March will be used to contribute to the funds needed to increase the number of meals delivered to home bound seniors, Harrell said. There is a waiting list for this service
gunshots rang out. ed in Baton Rouge on Monday by shooting. While the other victims Adult men At the scene, the crime lab col- the Louisiana State Police Fugitive are in stable condition, Travis said lected 29 bullet casings from a Task Force on the same charges, one woman who was shot is likely also accused rifle and two handguns, said Sam Travis said. Williams is a known to be paralyzed from her injuries. Travis expects to arrest three to D’Aquilla, the district attorney for gang member, according to police. Noah Basquine, 19, from Ethel, four more people involved in the East and West Feliciana parishes. in incident Liggins’ court hearing on Mon- is charged with attempted second- shooting over the next few days. “We’re going to do everything in morning determined he would degree murder, reckless discharge at Clinton parade day be moved to an adult correction of a firearm at a parade and ob- our power to make sure it does not
BY OLIVIA TEES Staff writer
Malik Liggins, 15, will be charged as an adult in connection with the shooting at the Clinton Mardi Gras parade on Saturday that injured five people, including a 6-year-old girl. The shooting started around 12:20 p.m. across from the Clinton Courthouse on St. Helena Street. The “Mardi Gras in the Country” parade was no more than 15 minutes into its route when dozens of
center, according to East Feliciana Parish Sheriff Jeff Travis. “Considering the nature of the offense and the charges that were presented under the children’s code, article 305, we’re able to move the proceeding from a juvenile court to an adult court,” Travis said. He is charged with attempted second-degree murder, reckless discharge of a firearm at a parade or demonstration, and obstruction of justice. A second individual, Phillip “Choppa” Williams, 25, was arrest-
struction of justice, according to a statement from the East Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office. Jascent Scott, 26, of Baker, is charged with illegal carrying of a weapon and resisting an officer, the Sheriff’s Office said. D’Aquilla said authorities do not believe Scott was involved with the shooting. “This was a terrible thing for gunshots to be fired with all these people in here. It’s horrible,” Travis said. Liggins was originally counted as one of the five victims in the
happen again and to bring justice to these individuals and justice to the victims,” Travis said. “It doesn’t look like anyone is gonna pass away from it,” Chief Criminal Deputy Bill Cox with the sheriff’s office said earlier. A man was hit by a fleeing car and was injured, while a woman received minor injuries after being trampled in the fleeing crowd, Cox said. Also, the Wilson Mardi Gras parade, which was scheduled for later in February, has been canceled, according to a Facebook post.
Update pesticide certifications A private pesticide applicator recertification training session will be at the Zachary Branch of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library, 10 a.m. to noon March 12, 1900 Church St., Zachary. Attendees needs to bring a current pesticide card and two checks — one made to the LSU AgCenter for $15 and one made to LDAF for $25. To reserve a spot, call Donna Gentry at (225) 683-3101 or dsgentry@agcenter.lsu.edu.
Law enforcement and emergency crews work the scene of a shooting at the Clinton Mardi Gras Parade.
Wildlife preserve owner arrested on felony theft involving another zoo, officials say
BY AIDAN MCCAHILL Staff writer
Weeks after announcing plans to sell his Ethel wildlife preserve, Magnolia Wilds owner John “Gabe” Ligon was arrested in Texas after a failed business deal with another Louisiana zoo, authorities say. Ligon, 34, was booked as a fugitive into the Tarrant County Jail on Jan. 23, and faces felony charges of theft. According to Grant Parish Sheriff Steven McCain, Ligon had a warrant out for his arrest for theft over $25,000, and was arrested by Tarrant County Sheriff’s deputies at an airport in Texas. McCain said that Ligon had agreed to provide exotic animals and perform work at the Gone Wild Safari, a petting zoo in Grant Parish, in exchange for $130,000 dollars. The owner reported in August that he was allegedly still owed $93,200, McCain said. The arrest comes less than a month after Ligon, a Clinton native, announced he was putting Magnolia Wilds up for sale, after 14 years. Formerly known as Barn Hill Preserve, Magnolia Wilds was listed for sale on Facebook by Ligon earlier this month. He said the offer included all 100 acres of property, more than 75 species of its animals, as well as equipment, vehicles, social media accounts and branding. Ligon waived his extradition hearing, and the Grant Parish Sheriff’s department plans to transport him back to Louisiana once road conditions improve, McCain said.
Advocate photographer Hilary Scheinuk was on the scene in Clinton when a shooting stopped the town’s Mardi Gras parade on Jan. 31. ä More photos of when celebration turned to crisis. PAGE 2G
Calendar sales fund camera for East Feliciana COA art class
BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL Contributing writer
New equipment has been acquired and the 2026 calendar sales are going well for the art department at the East Feliciana Parish Council on Aging, spokesperson Caroline Harrell said. Using funds previously raised, the art department recently acquired a camera that allows seniors with vision limitations to better see the demonstrations in the painting classes. A used document camera was purchased and recently set up for the first time at the regular Wednesday class. Harrell’s painting class instruction is enhanced by the camera’s larger image. It projects the painting’s progress on the big screen of the facility’s television, instead of seeing the smaller view of it propped on an easel. The enlarged images will allow a clearer picture of the paintbrush strokes, drawing techniques and more. Harrell also walks around the room assisting individual painters with advice/comments, encouragement and touchups as needed. The painting class, which is held at the Clinton site, has a faithful group of attendees and has room for others, Harrell said. COA seniors who have expressed interest but have some vision issues may be able to join the class, she said. Harrell added that she has begun and will
PHOTO BY MELINDA HOWELL
Painting teacher Caroline Harrell helps class member Bobbie Bond. The white cabinets, used for painting and quilting supplies, are a recent purchase made ä See CALENDAR, page 3G with some of the funds raised for the art department.