News Summary
Peabody Magnet High School has canceled its Homecoming Parade and football game due to credible threats against attendees. Reports of potential violence linked to prior incidents prompted local authorities to prioritize community safety. The mayor assured residents that threats originated outside Alexandria, while the school plans to reschedule the football game and honor alumni in a future event. The decision underscores the school’s commitment to ensuring the safety of their community amidst troubling concerns.
Alexandria – The Peabody Magnet High School Homecoming Parade and football game scheduled for Saturday, September 27, 2025, have been canceled due to credible threats against participants and attendees. This announcement was made in a news release by the City of Alexandria, which stated that verified intelligence indicated retaliatory threats from individuals outside of Rapides Parish aimed at Peabody students, alumni, and parade-goers.
Sources cited alarming reports of individuals carrying long-gun weapons with the intent to harm attendees at the parade. These threats were reportedly connected to prior events concerning the Super Daqx bar, situated outside of Alexandria. In light of these credible threats, Peabody Magnet High School, in coordination with local law enforcement, made the decision to prioritize the safety of the community.
The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office (RPSO) is actively investigating multiple calls that reported shots fired at a location in the 7500 block of U.S. 71 S. Upon their arrival, deputies determined that multiple people had been shot and confirmed that victims were transported to local hospitals by private vehicles. Currently, initial investigations identified four victims; however, their health status remains unclear as the investigation continues.
In a move to address community concerns and responsibilities, Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy released a statement highlighting that the cancellation stemmed from threats originating outside the city and not from any incidents occurring within Alexandria. The mayor emphasized the importance of preventive measures to protect innocent parade-goers in light of these serious threats.
Peabody Magnet High School plans to reach out to the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) to arrange a new date and time to reschedule the canceled football game. The school will communicate these details to the community as they become available.
In acknowledgment of the disruption to long-standing traditions, tentative plans for a future event to honor Peabody alumni have been announced, aimed at compensating for the cancellation of both the parade and the game. Peabody Magnet High School has a rich history of hosting homecoming events that celebrate community heritage and pride. The school has played a significant role in Alexandria since the late 1800s, historically serving as the only public school specifically for Black students from first to seventh grades.
This year’s planned homecoming events carried particular significance for alumni, many of whom expressed feelings of loss and a strong desire to preserve the legacy of those who have passed away. The decision to cancel the homecoming festivities was not taken lightly and reflects the ongoing commitment to safety and the well-being of the entire community.
The Peabody Magnet High School community remains hopeful for the future and looks forward to celebrating the school’s traditions when it is safe to do so.
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Additional Resources
- KALB: Peabody Homecoming Game & Parade Canceled
- Wikipedia: Homecoming
- KALB: Peabody Magnet High School Homecoming Parade
- Google Search: Peabody Magnet High School
- The Town Talk: Ken Burns Production Team Seeks Stories
- Google Scholar: Peabody High School
- KALB: Peabody’s Homecoming Draws Generations
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Homecoming
- CenlaNOW: Peabody High Homecoming Prompts Road Closures
- Google News: Peabody Homecoming
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