INDEPENDENCE, La. — A suspect was critically injured Monday morning after being shot by a Livingston Parish sheriff’s deputy following a pursuit, crash, and physical struggle on Interstate 55, according to Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard.
Ard said the pursuit began in Albany when the driver fled from a deputy and entered I-55. The vehicle later left the interstate and struck another vehicle just south of Independence in Tangipahoa Parish.
After the crash, the suspect ran from the vehicle, and the deputy pursued on foot. Ard said the deputy deployed a Taser, but the suspect continued to fight, took the Taser from the deputy, and began using it against the deputy during the struggle.
The deputy then drew a firearm and shot the suspect, Ard said.
The suspect was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. No officers were injured.
Louisiana State Police detectives are leading the investigation. I-55 southbound was closed near mile markers 39 and 40 while authorities investigated but reopened later Monday morning.
Authorities have not released the identities of the suspect or deputy. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information, photographs, or video is asked to contact Louisiana State Police. Anonymous information may be submitted through the “Report Suspicious or Criminal Activity” link at LSP.org or by calling the LSP Fusion Center Hotline at 1-800-434-8007.
This is a developing story and will be updated as additional information becomes available.
