Kyle Delaney, 25, the former “New Teacher of the Year” at Gonzales Middle School, was arrested Tuesday night and charged with attempted murder after allegedly shooting two men in Donaldsonville, Louisiana.
Delaney, a 7th grade social studies teacher, was taken into custody at a residence in Gonzales, about 17 miles north of the shooting scene, after detectives tracked him down that same evening. He was still in jail Thursday awaiting arraignment, according to court records.
The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office said the shooting occurred Tuesday afternoon on a street in Donaldsonville, roughly 35 miles south of Baton Rouge. Two men were found with gunshot wounds, including one who had been struck several times. The victims were not publicly identified, and authorities did not disclose any relationship between them and Delaney.
“Detectives learned that Delaney arrived at the victims’ location, exited his vehicle and fired multiple shots in their direction before fleeing the scene,” the department said in a statement. The sheriff’s office offered no motive for the attack.
Delaney faces two counts of attempted second-degree murder, along with charges of illegal use of weapons and criminal damage to property. The weapon charges suggest more than the shooting itself may have violated Louisiana law, though the sheriff’s office did not elaborate.
The arrest brought a swift end to Delaney’s brief teaching career. He had been honored as the 2024-2025 New Teacher of the Year at Gonzales Middle School, according to the school’s website. Ascension Public Schools confirmed Wednesday that he is no longer employed by the district.
“As this is an active law enforcement matter, questions regarding the incident, arrest, or criminal charges should be directed to the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, and we are unable to comment further on personnel matters,” a district spokesperson told WAFB.
The spokesperson’s statement, delivered to the Baton Rouge television station, offered no timeline for when Delaney’s employment was terminated or whether the action came before or after his arrest.
The case has drawn particular attention because of the contrast between Delaney’s classroom accolades and the violence police allege he committed. The “New Teacher of the Year” designation typically recognizes educators early in their careers who demonstrate exceptional promise.
Authorities have not said what led them to the Gonzales residence where Delaney was arrested, nor whether the weapon allegedly used in the shooting was recovered. The condition of the two victims following the attack was not immediately clear.
The investigation remains active, with the sheriff’s office handling all inquiries related to the criminal case. The school district has directed any questions about the incident itself to law enforcement rather than addressing what, if any, internal review may be underway.
Delaney’s arraignment will mark his first formal court appearance on the charges, where he may enter a plea and where additional details about the prosecution’s case could emerge.
The shooting in Donaldsonville adds to a violent year in Ascension Parish, where the sheriff’s office has investigated multiple homicides and attempted homicides. The small city of Donaldsonville, with a population under 7,000, has historically seen higher crime rates than the parish overall.