Cops: Officer and Mayor's Sister Killed, Two Others Stabbed by Louisiana Man
According to NBC News, a man was arrested in Sunset, Louisiana on Wednesday after allegedly stabbing three women, killing one of them, fatally shooting a police officer and crashing his car into a convenience store.
This Instagram photo apparently depicts the scene in Sunset. The user says a suspect was in the store with a shotgun. pic.twitter.com/M7JQI7O242
— KATC TV3 (@KATCTV3) August 26, 2015
According to police, Harrison Lee Riley Jr.’s crime spree began at around 3:00 p.m. when he stabbed his wife and two sisters of the mayor of neighboring Grand Coteau, one of whom later died. From KATC:
Sheriff Guidroz says Riley went to a home on Anna Street to confront his wife, which is where he stabbed her, as well as the sisters of the Grand Coteau Mayor, Shameka and Surlay Johnson. The Johnsons’ mother is said to have minor injuries, but she did not go to the hospital. According to the Acadiana Advocate, Riley is a relative of the Johnsons.
Police were called to the scene, and officer Henry Nelson of Sunset was the first to respond. The sheriff says Riley fought with Nelson and ended up shooting him with the officer’s gun.
Authorities say he then crashed his car into a nearby convenience store and barricaded himself inside. After attempting to negotiate with Riley, police say they used tear gas and were able to arrest the suspect at about 6:30 p.m.
Riley is currently being held in a hospital for observation, but will reportedly be charged with first degree murder and first degree murder of a police officer, among other crimes.
At a press conference Wednesday evening, Sheriff Guidroz said he believed drugs were involved.
“When people ingest illegal drugs, they get brave, they get stupid,” Guidroz told reporters.
This post has been updated throughout to include information shared by Sheriff Guidroz Wednesday evening.
[Image via St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office//h/t Mashable]