METAIRIE, La. — Security video from a nearby gas station shows Jefferson Parish deputies racing to the corner of Clearview Parkway and Veterans Boulevard early Thursday morning.
They tried to stop the driver of a suspected stolen vehicle at the traffic light.
Investigators say while deputies were telling the man to get out of the vehicle, he backed into a marked police unit.
According to the JPSO, the driver then pulled forward, striking a deputy and then the officer fired into the windshield while lying on the hood of the vehicle hitting23-year-old Lawrence Jackson more than once.
It is the eighth deputy-involved shooting in Jefferson Parish in as many months.
“It does raise some concerns that they’re happening with the level of frequency they’re happening,” Rep. Kyle Green, D-Marrero said.
Green along with Rep. Rodney Lyons, D-Harvey, lobbied JP Sheriff Joe Lopinto to equip his deputies with body worn cameras two years ago.
He says with the cameras now in place, there should not be a rush to judgement about the number of deputy shootings in the parish.
“I would be interested to know what are the facts and circumstances surrounding each incident on a case-by-case basis and judge them independently,” Green said. “(Body cameras) made his officers safer. It has also significantly increased the public’s trust in what the sheriff is saying.”
The vehicle was reported stolen less than a mile away at Clearview and West Napoleon Ave.
JP residents had this reaction to this type of crime.
“Really, I’m disenchanted by it because we are hearing about it with more frequency,” Pastor Dale Sanders said.
"Crime is getting crazy nowadays,” Tim Bucey said. “I don’t know what they can do to stop it, but it’s just going crazy.”
Both the deputy, whose legs were injured, and Jackson were transported to a hospital.
Upon release, Jackson was booked into the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center. The New Orleans native faces a number of charges, including attempted first-degree murder, battery of a police officer with injury, aggravated flight from an officer using a motor vehicle and possession of stolen property.
Jackson was also booked with hit and run, aggravated criminal damage to property and violation of probation.
There is no further information on the deputy's condition.
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