BEAUMONT, Texas — The Beaumont Police Department is hoping the public can come forward with information that will help them solve a trail ride event shooting that left one dead and others injured.
The incident took place in the 6500 block of Bigner Road on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023 around 11:33 p.m.
EMS was not able to get to the victims due to the estimated 1,000 people attending the trail ride, so officers had to carry them through the crowd, according to Beaumont Police Officer Haley Morrow.
Beaumont Police Chief Jimmy Singletary confirmed to 12News Tuesday that there were five shooting victims total. Among the five, one of them, 25-year-old Rodtravian Perry, of Houston, died.
The current condition of the other victims is unknown at this time.
Police tell 12News they had to call in other law enforcement agencies to help clear out the crowd, which included ATVs, horses, trailers, trucks and other vehicles.
They had received multiple calls complaining about the massive crowd throughout the night.
Singletary says the crowd is not cooperating with the police investigation.
"They wouldn't let our officers get to the crime scene, who were in their vehicles, the officers had to park the crime scene and walk around to the victims to try to render aid. So, it was, it was horrible that there's been absolutely no cooperation," he said.
During their investigation, officers arrested 26-year-old Tom Simpson for unlawfully carrying a weapon. Police say Simpson had a pistol tucked into his waistband, but they do not believe he is connected to the shooting.
Police are working to connect the trail ride to an event that was advertised on Facebook, according to Morrow. The event, called the "Beaumont Night Ride + Field Party," started on Helbig Road, which is nearly three miles away from where the victims were found.
Right now, police are looking into a Youtube video they believe will provide them with answers.
GET NEWS & WEATHER ALERTS | Download the 12News App to your mobile device
CRIME STOPPERS | Submit a tip @ 833Tips.com
CRIME STOPPERS APP | Download the P3 Tips App
If you have information about a crime you could earn a cash reward of up to $1000 by providing an ANONYMOUS tip to Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas.
Call 833-TIPS (8477) or download the P3Tips App on your mobile device to submit your tip anonymously.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
Also on 12NewsNow.com…