17-Year-Old Wyatt Sanders Arrested in Connection with Fatal Shooting of 16-Year-Old Miranda Clements in Vivian
Vivian, Louisiana — A tragic shooting in Vivian has left a community in mourning after 16-year-old Miranda Clements was found fatally shot inside a home on Sunday evening. Local and parish authorities are continuing their investigation into the events that led to the teen’s death.
According to officials with the Vivian Police Department, officers were dispatched to a residence in the 33 block of Pardue Street shortly before 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 20, following reports of gunfire.
Upon arrival, officers discovered Miranda Clements lying unresponsive on the floor inside the home. She had sustained a gunshot wound to her upper body. Emergency medical personnel from Caddo Fire District 8 arrived on the scene and pronounced her dead shortly after their arrival.
In the wake of the incident, Vivian Police reached out to the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office for additional investigative support. A joint task force was immediately formed to begin processing the scene and interviewing witnesses.
At the time of the response, authorities were unsure of the exact circumstances surrounding the shooting and whether it was accidental or intentional. However, developments overnight led to the arrest of 17-year-old Wyatt Layne Sanders in connection with the case.
Sanders was taken into custody and booked into the Caddo Parish Correctional Center at 3:07 a.m. on Monday, April 21. According to jail records, he is facing two counts of illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile and one count of negligent homicide—charges that suggest investigators believe the shooting was not premeditated but occurred due to reckless or careless behavior.
Authorities have not yet released details about the relationship between Sanders and Clements, nor have they confirmed who owned the firearm involved in the incident. Investigators are also working to determine how the gun was obtained and whether any adults may be held accountable for allowing minors access to a weapon.
As of this report, Sanders remains in custody, and no bond has been set.
The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office and Vivian Police Department continue to actively investigate the case. Officials are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
Counselors and grief support services are being made available to students and staff at local schools in Vivian, where Miranda Clements was reportedly a student. Community members have already begun placing flowers and notes of remembrance outside the residence where the shooting occurred.
More updates will be provided as the investigation continues to unfold.
