BATON ROUGE — LSU Interim President Matt Lee and LSU Board of Supervisors Chair Scott Ballard joined local law enforcement on Thursday to discuss enhanced security on campus during gamedays following a shooting during the Homecoming game against South Carolina. 

“Tailgating is a big part of the gameday experience, and we want people to have fun. But if your tailgate is interfering with the gameday experience of others, law enforcement will be paying you a visit,” Ballard said.

Officials said they believe the origin of both shootings can be traced to a student group’s tailgate, the organizers of which they did not name.

They claimed this group’s tailgate brought a large number of people not affiliated with LSU to the campus. Lee said the school has decided to fence off the space on campus known as Unity Field at the corner of South Stadium Drive and Highland Road for the remainder of the season.

In addition, the student group that’s allegedly responsible is being put through a student conduct process.

LSU officials also announced that it will be expanding its law enforcement presence. They are also bringing in “additional technological and surveillance support.” LSU said to think of it as a lot more drones.

LSU added that it will be altering accessibility to campus for those who do not have parking permits for the interior parts of campus. Highland Road will not be available for those who do not have permits, officials added.

The university provided the following list of changes "aimed at enhancing gameday security:"
- With the help of Governor Landry, there will be an increased and more visible law enforcement presence on campus. In addition, new technological and surveillance support will be implemented to help identify and respond to illegal or dangerous behavior more quickly than ever.
- Access to campus on gameday will be modified for those without parking permits. Vehicles without LSU parking permits will not be able to enter from Highland Road. Additional guidance on this will be issued in the coming days.
- The area of Unity Field (the northeast corner of Highland Road and South Stadium Drive) will be fenced off for the foreseeable future. Following two consecutive weekends of violent crimes on LSU’s campus, this area has been identified as a source of significant issues, including firearm-related incidents.
- Law enforcement will take a more proactive approach to addressing activities that diminish the gameday experience for families, including underage drinking, unmanageable large crowds, and excessively loud or explicit music.
- LSU is a smoke-free campus, and this policy will be enforced on gameday. Following numerous complaints of marijuana odor, officers will patrol for violations. Individuals smoking marijuana will be detained, and those found in possession of illegal amounts will be arrested on the spot.

WBRZ asked for more info on Highland, parking and contraflow. LSU said additional parking guidelines and answers will be made available in the coming days.

“We recognize this might present some immediate challenges, but it is a long-term strategy that must be done," Ballard said.

Earlier this week, Gov. Jeff Landry called for a ramping up of security from Louisiana State Police and local agencies during the next LSU home game — Oct. 25's matchup against Texas A&M — after two people were shot during Saturday's South Carolina game.

A 16-year-old was arrested for the shooting in the days that followed; he could be tried as an adult, the District Attorney said. Another person was arrested after shooting himself in the leg near Tiger Stadium. 

Watch the news conference here: