Local DJ says he wants locals to feel safe at his events

The creator of Juice Fest said he doesn’t want people to feel like they’re in danger when attending his events.

Justin Patterson (aka DeeJay Juice) spoke to The Times on Monday afternoon – less than 24 hours after a shooting in Downtown Houma which took place on Sunday night after his second-annual Juice Fest in the city.

Patterson said the incident goes against his entire message of anti-violence and unity.

Since the incident, the Houma Police Department and Police Chief Dana Coleman have stressed that the incident was not on Juice Fest’s grounds and occurred after the event, despite widespread social media commentary and published reports that inaccurately indicated otherwise throughout Sunday night and into Monday.

“I just don’t want people to feel uncomfortable to come to my festival because that’s not what it’s about,” said Patterson. “It’s not about inciting any kind of negativity or any kind of division. It’s about unifying the city in all aspects.”

The shooting occurred at around 9 p.m. on Sunday night after a verbal altercation turned physical.

The victim, a 15-year-old boy, was shot in the incident, but he sustained injuries that are not expected to be life-threatening. The victim was not part of the altercation and was hit by cross-fire. 

Authorities are combing evidence – including a Facebook Live video, which showed the scene of the crime as it happened. Authorities hope these clues will lead them to a suspect, though no arrests had been made, as of Monday night. 

Patterson said the victim’s mother reached out to him since the incident. Patterson said she told him that she doesn’t blame he, nor the festival for the incident and that she believes her son was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Patterson said the mother told him that she attended the festival with her family and they enjoyed the event.

Patterson said he intends to visit the boy when he gets out of the hospital in the coming days.