METAIRIE, La. — A Jefferson Parish Sheriff's deputy shot a man early Friday morning.
According to JPSO, a deputy tried to do s suspicious person stop in the 3700 block of West Esplanade. They say, the suspect ran and the deputy chased after him. According to JPSO, the suspect pulled out a gun. They say that's when the deputy shot at the suspect and hit him in his lower extremities.
This is the second Jefferson Parish Deputy involved shooting in a week. The first one happened near Councilmember Jennifer Van Vrancken's home, and the most recent one happened in her district.
"I’ve noticed in the past two deputy involved shootings in Metairie, both people were hit in the lower extremities which I think indicate deputies are just trying to stop the threat," Van Vrancken said. "If someone is trying to harm them, they have a right to stop the threat,"
We asked her if she believes there's enough accountability when a deputy fires their gun at someone. Van Vrancken pointed to Sheriff Joe Lopinto's experience, not only in law enforcement but also as a lawyer and a legislator.
"He’s crafted the laws, he has the full understanding legally of when you are to shoot, when you're not to shoot." Van Vrancken said. "I know our JPSO deputies train on that and train on that repeatedly so when they have to shoot they know it’s appropriate and when there are instances they can’t shoot they know that too," she said.
The suspect was taken to the hospital. The incident happened close to the Metairie Jewish Community Center and a synagogue. Although, JPSO said it's just a coincidence as the chase began two blocks away and the suspect happened to run in that direction.
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