ST. CHARLES PARISH, La. — On Thursday morning, Jerry Nichols walked out and found his usually quiet block littered with bullet casings and evidence markers.
“It shook me up pretty well,” Jerry Nichols said.
When he found out his nephew was involved, Nichols was rattled.
“It was shocking to hear your nephew got shot,” Nichols said.
Around 7 a.m., St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Deputies say they responded to a call about a man holding a gun on Nicholas Street in Hahnville.
Officers shot and killed 58-year-old Charles Verdin after they say he pointed what appeared to be an AR-15 style rifle at them.
According to the sheriff’s office, Verdin had a history with law enforcement, including drug charges, aggravated assault, and aggravated assault against an officer.
After the incident, officers discovered the weapon was only an airsoft gun.
“We have sympathy for his family,” St. Charles Parish Sherriff’s Office Public Information Officer Jenni Barette said.
Charles' neighbor Jordan Spanio says he’s the one who called 911 and believes Charles struggled with mental illness.
“I said, ‘I don’t know why you’re pointing that gun at me, I’ve always been good to you. I help you with a lot of things around your house,’” Spanio said.
Spanio says he did what he had to do to protect himself, but feels sympathy for Verdin’s family.
“My heart sunk. I didn’t even know what to think,” Spanio said.
The Sheriff’s Office says they tried to administer medical aid after the shooting, but Verdin died on the scene.
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