UPDATE: Kaplan Police Shoot Suspect Wielding Lawn Mower Blades
Vermilion Parish sheriff's deputies are investigating a shooting in which a Kaplan police officer shot a suspect who was wielding lawn mower blades.
It happened around 10:45 p.m. Wednesday on Herpin Street near its intersection with Pelican Street.
According to Captain Drew David of the Vermilion Parish Sheriff's Office, Kaplan police were called to the scene around 10:15 p.m. to handle a disturbance. Minutes after leaving, police were called back to the scene to work a crash. David says when the officers returned, they saw Larry Litwiler, Jr., using the lawn mower blades to damage cars at a home.
David says when officers tried to talk Litwiler into putting the blades down, Litwiler advanced towards them. That's when, according to David, two officers shot Litwiler.
Litwiler is in the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. None of the officers were hurt.
David says the investigation is still ongoing. No word yet if Litwiler will face any charges.