Disturbance at Bridge City Center for Youth involves 38, injures 2

BRIDGE CITY, La. (WVUE) - A source tell FOX 8 a riot broke out inside of the Bridge City Center for Youth Monday.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office helped to stop the incident that a source says lasted for hours.

Information is slowly being released about what unfolded at the juvenile prison.

According to the Jefferson Parish police report, a call came from inside the Bridge City Center for Youth around 8:30 p.m. Monday night about staff member who was injured during an incident.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office says youth in two dormatories were feuding when they managed to kick the doors open and a large fight broke out. The staff member was injured as she was attempting to intervene.

JPSO says one of the youth inmates kicked her in the chest. EMS transported her to the hospital where she was treated and released.

In addition to the fight, youth from two additional dorms kicked their doors open and call four dorms began fighting and destroying property.

Initial responding units arrived then called the Jefferson Parish SWAT team.

Eventually order was restored.

“With the assistance of Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, the campus was secured shortly after the incident, and remains secure today,” a statement said.

The Office of Juvenile Justice say two youths received medical treatment for minor injuries. 38 youth inmates were transferred to other OJJ facilities around the state.

Right now it is unclear how long the incident lasted or if any of the youth will be charged.

“The Office of Juvenile Justice is grateful for the assistance of the JPSO,” the statement read. “Youth and staff safety were and is the first priority of the Office of Juvenile Justice.”

Those housed at the center who had previously tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered. There were no COVID-19 protocols used during the disturbance.

The incident is under investigation.

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