NEW ORLEANS — A suspect is in custody after a kidnapping and armed robbery incident near The Willows Apartment Thursday morning, sources say.
NOPD arrested Hector J. Flores, 32 . Police said he was not injured during the arrest.
The New Orleans Police Department says federal agents investigating the suspect were shot at during the eight-hour standoff.
At least three residents were evacuated following the incident.
Police say the wanted suspect fired at agents before barricading himself inside the apartment complex.
According to NOPD, multiple law enforcement agencies are currently on the scene working to safely resolve the situation.
The incident happened in the 7000 block of Lawrence Road.
No injuries have been reported at this time.
A perimeter has been stretched around Crowder Blvd. and Lake Willow Dr.
Out of an abundance of caution Robert Russa Moton Charter School has instituted a lockdown.
NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick addressed media shortly after 3 p.m.
"We had an event up here at the Willows, in which a wanted person who had a gunfire exchange with one of the law enforcement agencies on site," explained Kirkpatrick. "It was not NOPD as I understand at this time."
Prior to the press conference, Kirkpatrick said she had been at the scene watching evacuations of some of the residents of the complex.
"Something I very much appreciate is that we have slowed this operation down," she explained. "We want it to come to a safe conclusion."
Kirkpatrick said she is not aware of any contact with the suspect, but that authorities know the identity of the suspect. However, she would not divulge that information.
WWL Louisiana reporter Winston Reed was on the scene earlier, and posted the following updates on X (formerly known as Twitter):
[WATCH] Latest on shots fired at agents, standoff in New Orleans East
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