Lafayette Police Officer Thwarts Shooting

A man is now behind bars after a Lafayette Police officer saved several people from a possible shooting at the Northgate Mall over the weekend.

A KPEL news source tells us the suspect's name is Joseph Handy. On Saturday, Handy allegedly walked into a shop in the Northgate Mall holding a firearm and told an employee he was going to kill several people within the store. After Handy was told that the police were called and on their way, he tried to run away.

That's when the officer showed up.

The officer, assigned to the Special Investigation Unit of the Lafayette Police Department, was in the area and quickly responded to the location. By himself, the officer was able to overwhelm Handy and take him into custody without any harm being done.

Handy was booked for illegal carrying of a firearm and terrorizing