Acadiana Authorities Caution Against Celebratory Gunfire

Residents in two Acadiana cities are sounding a word of warning after celebratory gunshots to ring in the new year came a little too close to home.

Brent Wyble of Opelousas told KATC-TV 3 he heard fireworks and gunshots behind his house just before midnight on New Year's Eve and realized Thursday morning that at least one of those gunshots struck the windshield of his vehicle.

"It could have been dangerous and hit a person," Wyble told the television station.

In Breaux Bridge a KATC viewer said bullets hit her mobile home while she and 2-year-old were inside, but neither of them were hurt.

Master Trooper Brooks David with Louisiana State Police Troop I said celebrating in this manner is extremely dangerous.

"The bullet fired into the air must come down somewhere," David said. "It comes down with a fast velocity and at times kills innocent people. Weapons should never be used as a celebratory tool."

Louisiana law prohibits the "intentional or criminally negligent discharging of any firearm...where it is foreseeable that it may result in death or great bodily harm to a human being." The penalties for doing so include jail time and a fine of no more than $1,000.