JEFFERSON PARISH, La. — Louisiana State Police say officers killed a man who allegedly pointed a gun in their direction on Airline Highway in Metairie, prompting the roadway to be closed for hours Sunday night.
According to state police, multiple law enforcement agencies were directing traffic at Airline Highway and Severn Avenue when several concerned drivers stopped and told them that there was a man walking with a gun near Causeway Boulevard. Officers drove the area and saw a black man with a gun in one hand and a knife in the other hand.
Troopers say officers tried to talk to the man and he ran away, starting a brief chase.
"During the pursuit, law enforcement personnel gave repeated verbal commands to drop the weapons and discharged a taser which proved ineffective," State police say.
Troopers say the man continued to ignore verbal commands and turned to face officers, and "pointed the firearm in their direction." A trooper and two officers from the East Jefferson Levee District shot at the man, striking him. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. No officers were injured in the shooting.
LSP said they are still trying to identify the man who was killed.
Just after 11 p.m., troopers announced that that Airline Highway was closed in both directions from Labarre Road to Severen Avenue "due to a police investigation." The roadway reopened early Monday morning.
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