Jefferson County fire claims life of Louisiana teenager

Published 11:24 am Friday, January 5, 2024

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JEFFERSON COUNTY — A fire accident at a Jefferson County deer camp killed at least one teen and injured four others. A Monroe, Louisiana high school dismissed early on Friday upon learning that five students were involved in a fire accident that was not related to school activities, a report from KNOE said.

Sheriff James Bailey told the news station that four of the teenagers were transported to Merit Health Natchez and one of the four had to be transferred to a hospital in Jackson. The fifth teen was trapped inside the deer camp and was killed, he said.

The deceased teen has been identified in social media posts as Tarver Braddock, a junior at Neville High School in Monroe.

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The KNOE report said the school dismissed classes on Jan. 5, after second period. All students have left the school and most have relocated to First Methodist Church, which has opened its doors for prayer.

Faculty is scheduled to be back on campus at 1 p.m. to help with counseling with classes scheduled to resume on Monday, Jan. 8, with counseling services continuing to be offered.

This story will be updated as more details are available.