1 Lafayette Officer Dead, 3 Injured in Hostage Situation in Jeanerette, Louisiana

JEANERETTE, La. (KPEL News) - The Lafayette Police Department has confirmed one of their own was killed in the line of duty in Jeanerette, Louisiana on Thursday.

According to a statement released by LPD Sgt. Matthew Benoit, two of the officers injured were struck by bullets. Two others were struck by bullet fragments. Of the four who were injured, one fell in the line of duty.

Early this afternoon, the Lafayette Police Department SWAT Team was assisting the Jeanerette City Marshals Office with a hostage situation in Jeanerette, LA. The incident began earlier in the day after the Jeanerette City Marshals Office was attempting to serve an arrest warrant. The suspect had multiple warrants for his arrest, and they requested the assistance of our SWAT Team. The Lafayette Police Department has a mutual aid agreement with surrounding agencies to assist in the event of a critical incident or emergency.
During the operations, the suspect fired multiple shots at Law Enforcement. Four Lafayette Police Officers were injured. Two officers were shot, and bullet fragments struck the other two officers.
All officers involved were transported to an area hospital. Three officers are currently in good condition with non-life-threatening injuries. As a result of the shooting, the fourth officer was killed in the line of duty.
The Lafayette Police Department is mourning the loss of one of our own. Please keep these officers and their families in your prayers during this tragic time.

There has been no official confirmation on the name of the fallen officer.

UPDATE 3

One Lafayette police officer has died after a hostage situation turned deadly in Jeanerette on Thursday.

The report, from KLFY, indicates that one of the Lafayette officers injured in the incident has died, while another was transported to a local hospital but is in good condition.

A suspect has also been arrested, according to reports. Nyjal Hurst, 31, of Jeanerette was being served a warrant by marshals when the incident took place.

According to KLFY, Hurst is wanted for a long list of offenses.

Officials said the incident began when the the City Marshal attempted to serve an arrest warrant at the home.
According to law enforcement, Hurst was known to have outstanding arrest warrants for Jeanerette Police Department for aggravated second degree battery and home invasion. The Marshal’s Office said the suspect also has arrests warrants for St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office for armed robbery, illegal use of weapons, attempted car jacking, domestic abuse battery child endangerment by strangulation, and two counts of aggravated battery.

Hurst is currently reported as being in custody.

UPDATE 2

Louisiana State Police are investigating the hostage situation in Jeanerette that almost turned deadly when multiple officers were injured in the operation.

In a statement, LPS said they were now on the scene and investigating what happened.

On July 25, 2024, shortly after 4:30 p.m., Detectives with the Louisiana State Police Criminal Investigations Division were requested to investigate an officer-involved shooting involving multiple law enforcement agencies, which occurred on Hubertville Road near Martin Luther King Drive in Jeanerette.
Investigators are working to gather information, and the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab is responding to process the scene. This is an active investigation; additional information will be released when it becomes available.
Anyone with information, pictures, or video is urged to share it with LSP Detectives. You may anonymously report information through the Louisiana State Police online reporting system by visiting lsp.org and clicking on Report Suspicious or Criminal Activity or calling the LSP Fusion Center Hotline at 1-800-434-8007.

This is a developing story.

UPDATE 1

The Lafayette Police Department took part in a SWAT operation in Jeanerette involving a hostage situation, according to a press release from LPD on Thursday afternoon.

On Thursday, law enforcement responded to an armed hostage situation that ended with two arrested and, at the time, one reported injury to local law enforcement.

Lafayette Consolidated Government Chief Communications Officer Jamie Boudreaux sent out a press release noting that LPD was involved with the operation in Jeanerette and four of their own officers were injured.

"This afternoon a critical incident took place involving Lafayette police officers during a SWAT operation," Boudreaux's statement read. "After responding to support a neighboring agency that requested assistance in Jeanerette, four of our officers were injured, one of which remains in critical condition."

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"At this time, the situation is still unfolding and we are in the process of gathering all relevant details to understand the events that took place," the releases also noted. "Our primary concern is the safety and well-being of our officers. We are committed to keeping the public informed as more information becomes available. Please join me in prayer for these officers, their families, and all those affected by this incident."

You can also see our original story below.

ORIGINAL STORY

An armed hostage situation nearly turned deadly in Jeanerette on Thursday afternoon, according to multiple reports.

According to our news partners at KATC, the hostage situation reached its peak as law enforcement engaged. As of now, two people are in custody, and an officer was injured after police entered the house.

Reports on the ground indicate both a hostage negotiation team and a SWAT team were at the scene before police went in.

Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Katherine Breaux confirmed to KLFY that at least one hostage was involved.

Several posts on social media caught a heavy police presence along Huberville Road in Jeanerette.

Below is a video from a citizen that captured the scene of the hostage situation.

We'll have more info as the story develops.

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