2 deputies killed, 2 injured in early-morning south Louisiana ambush
By: Nancy Cook
Updated: August 16, 2012
WDSU in New Orleans is reporting that five
people are in custody after a shooting that killed two St. John the Baptist
Parish deputies and left two others injured.
More than 100 officers from multiple police agencies are still at the scene near River Road and Highway 3217, and a search perimeter was set up.
People were being asked to avoid the area. Several roads were also closed.
The shootings happened about 5 a.m. St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre said said one of his deputies was working a detail at a parking lot for the Valero refinery when someone opened fire on the officer's vehicle. The officer was injured in the shooting.
A resident called police moments later, Tregre said, telling investigators they saw a speeding vehicle. Deputies tracked down the vehicle at Riverview Court.
An emotional and visibly shaken Tregre said that as they were questioning people at a trailer, a person came out of the home, ambushing the deputies and began spraying the deputies with bullets from an assault rifle.
Two deputies, 27-year-old Jeremy Triche and 34-year-old Brandon Nielson, died in the shooting, and another deputy was injured. Triche and Nielson had been with the Sheriff's Office for four and two years, respectively.
The two other deputies injured in the incident were Michael Boyington, 33, and Jason Triche, 30.
Louisiana State Police will be taking over the investigation.
Tregre said that public safety was intact and "we are in control at this point."
Emily C. Watson Elementary School was closed for the day after the shooting occurred.
Officials with Valero have released the following statement:
"This morning there was a shooting involving law enforcement officers providing security at an off-site parking lot used by contractors working at the Valero St. Charles Refinery. Valero employees offer their thoughts and prayers to the officers and the families of the officers involved in the shooting. Refinery operations have not been affected. The incident remains under investigation, and questions about the incident itself should be referred to local law enforcement. Any contractor who normally parks in the Montz lot should not report to work today. All other employees and contractors should report as scheduled. "
