KENNER, La. — Three Kenner police officers were wounded after a man shot them Sunday morning during a standoff which eventually ended with the suspected shooter, 31-year-old Matthew Lathers, dead.
"We attempted to negotiate with him numerous times, and we attempted to make contact, but there was no answer by any means, nor did he ever try to negotiate with our SWAT officers," Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joseph Lopinto said. "And it wasn't until he took the positions that he did that they fired upon him."
Kenner PD Captain Michael Cunningham said one officer was shot in the arm, the other officer was shot in the leg, and the third was shot in the stomach. All three officers have been released as of Monday morning.
The happened as police were investigating a double shooting in the 700 block of Farm Avenue that morning.
Captain Cunningham told WWL Louisiana that when officers arrived, they found two people shot inside a vehicle outside the home on Farm Avenue which he said is the home of Lathers’ relative.
“We actually believe they were either going to or coming from church. They just happened to stop there in front of that residence, and they were shot,” said Cunningham.
One of the victims has non-life-threatening injuries and the second is in critical condition according to Cunningham.
Video Courtesy: Chele Alejandro Sosa
Police then got a search warrant and said they made it into the home on Farm Avenue but when they entered, Lathers fired shots, and at least one SWAT member returned fire.
Kenner police called in the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office to assist after the officers were shot.
"Within minutes, Lathers began shooting at a JPSO armored vehicle in which deputies were stationed," JPSO Sheriff Lopinto said.
When Lathers tried to shoot at the armored vehicle again, he was shot by a JPSO sniper. Lathers was later pronounced dead at the scene.
Lathers was also wanted for an attempted murder and armed robbery of a 56-year-old man Tuesday, April 23, in the 700 block of Coleman Place.
In 2012, Lathers was convicted of Armed Robbery and sentenced to ten years according to Kenner PD.
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