LAKE CHARLES, La. – Louisiana State Police say a trooper was shot in the head and critically injured Sunday when he tried to arrest a driver suspected of being drunk or drugged in southwest Louisiana. Here's the latest on that story (all times are local):
___
6:15 p.m.
Louisiana State Police say a trooper was shot in the head Sunday afternoon by a man whose pickup truck had run into a ditch after being reported as driving erratically.
Sgt. James Anderson, state police spokesman in southwest Louisiana, says the trooper was in critical but stable condition Sunday evening at a hospital in Lake Charles.
Anderson says other drivers helped the trooper, called for help using the trooper's radio, and detained the driver.
Anderson says the man was belligerent and appeared impaired after his arrest.
Authorities are not releasing the name and age of the trooper or the man who was arrested.
Anderson says the man fought with other drivers, and was in a hospital being treated for scrapes and other injuries.
___
5:45 p.m.
Louisiana State Police say a trooper was shot in the head and critically injured when he tried to stop a driver suspected of being drunk or drugged in southwest Louisiana.
A message from the head of state police on the department's Facebook page says other drivers stopped the alleged gunman and helped the officer until paramedics arrived Sunday.
Maj. Doug Cain confirms that the officer was shot in the head.
Col. Mike Edmonson, head of state police, said the trooper's name and status will be released as the investigation continues. He asked for prayers and well wishes for the officer and his family.
The Facebook message's subject line read "Trooper Critically Injured — Prayers Needed."
Other details were not immediately available.
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
