
An alleged shoplifter shot by an off-duty Rapides Parish Sheriff’s deputy has died. Sheriff Mark Wood says the deputy was working off-duty detail at Academy Sports and Outdoors on Friday night in Alexandria when he attempted to stop an alleged shoplifter.
“As the suspect was violently resisting and the deputy discharged their service weapon one time, striking the suspect,” Wood said.
“Medical aid was rendered by deputies until Acadian Ambulance arrived and the suspect was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries,” Wood said.
Authorities have not identified the person who the deputy fatally shot. The officer involved is on paid leave. Wood says it’s a sad situation.
“There were two families destroyed, one of them lost their life, the other one took it, no police officer that I know gets up in the morning wants to shoot anybody, you just don’t want to do that,” Wood said.
The Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation for the Central Louisiana Critical Incident Response Team. Wood says findings will be turned over to the Rapides Parish District Attorney’s Office to determine if the shooting was justified.
Some in the community claim the person fatally shot was in the parking lot when he was shot in the back. But Wood says the shooting occurred in the store.
“There are so many untruths about this incident, It’s unreal. Please let them unfold and watch,” Wood said. “Shoplifting does not kill you, it’s wrong, it’s breaking the law, but that’s not what gets you killed.”
Wood did not identify the deputy in the shooting, but did say he’s an African-American.
Comments