1 dead in Mardi Gras parade shooting in Louisiana

[February 20, 2012]  PLAQUEMINE, La. (AP) -- Gunfire erupted at a Mardi Gras parade in Louisiana, leaving one man dead. Police have identified a suspect and were searching for him.

Authorities say 27-year-old Dewayne Milton Smith was killed Sunday afternoon during the Plaquemine Community Parade in Plaquemine, which is roughly 80 miles west of New Orleans. No one else was injured.

The Advocate reports (http://bit.ly/zF5552) that police were searching for 25-year-old Akeem O. Gailes in connection with the killing. Investigators say the shooting followed an argument in the street.

Tuesday is Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday. The advance celebrations are known as Carnival.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.