Webster Parish, La. (9/12/2025) – The Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office confirmed Thursday that deputies arrested a 21-year-old Haughton man after he allegedly threatened to “shoot up the school” at a campus located on the grounds of Camp Minden, a Louisiana National Guard installation.
Sheriff Jason Parker identified the suspect as Austin Rae Stone, who is being held at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center on a charge of terrorizing. His bond has been set at $15,000.
Authorities responded after an instructor at the Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College branch on the Camp Minden grounds reported hearing Stone’s threat. The instructor immediately evacuated the building and contacted Camp Minden security and sheriff’s deputies.
Ammunition Found
Deputies Sgt. Damian Christian and Lt. Coby Barton were dispatched to the scene. According to the sheriff’s office, Camp Minden authorities recovered over 950 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition reportedly taken from Stone’s vehicle. No firearm was discovered, nor was any additional ammunition located during a subsequent search of the vehicle.
Deputies and Camp Minden security also searched the school building but confirmed that no firearm was found on campus.
Security and Safety Concerns
Sheriff Parker underscored the seriousness of such threats, particularly in light of recent national violence. “With the incidents we’ve seen lately, such as the shooting death in Utah, we’re not going to tolerate any type of threat like this,” Parker said. “People should feel safe, especially in schools and churches, and we’re going to do whatever is necessary to protect them.”
While Sheriff Parker did not mention names, the “shooting death in Utah” referred to in his statement comes the same week as the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist who was killed during an event in Utah. That tragedy has reignited concerns nationwide about political violence and targeted threats.
Camp Minden: A Louisiana National Guard Installation
Camp Minden, located in Webster Parish, is a Louisiana National Guard training site that also hosts a variety of community programs, including the Youth Challenge Program (YCP) for at-risk teens and a branch of the Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College. Its dual role as a military installation and educational site makes it a central hub for both defense readiness and community development.
The presence of students and young adults on site, alongside military personnel, has made security coordination between the Guard and local law enforcement critical. Thursday’s swift evacuation and investigation highlight the importance of those partnerships.
Ongoing Investigation
Stone remains in custody as investigators continue to review evidence related to the incident. Authorities have not yet disclosed what prompted the threat or whether additional charges may follow.
The Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office confirmed that its deputies, in coordination with Camp Minden security and the Louisiana National Guard, will continue ensuring the safety of students and staff on the installation grounds.
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