A Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s deputy is recovering from a gunshot wound, while two suspects are dead after a shooting during a drug bust outside of an IHOP restaurant in Gretna. Sheriff Joe Lopinto says undercover narcotics officers attempted buy drugs from a suspect, when the driver realized it was a sting, he tried to get away and backed into a deputy.
“Detectives on the scene fired at the driver, striking both the driver and a male passenger,” said Lopinto.
The sheriff says the driver died at the scene, while passenger died from his injuries at a local hospital. Lopinto believes his wounded deputy was hit by friendly fire.
“He was on the passenger side of the compartment, one of those projectiles went through both of the windows,” said Lopinto.
The deputy is in stable condition. Lopinto says an investigation is underway into the shooting as they make sure the ballistics matches up with what witnesses said.
“People play stupid games when it comes to narcotics and unfortunately, we have to go out there and be that dividing line and try to make this parish a little bit safer every single day,” said Lopinto.
