The Latest: Suspect's dad offers sympathy to victim's family

LAFAYETTE, La. – The Latest on Louisiana police officer killed (all times local):

5:40 p.m.

The father of a 29-year-old man accused of killing a Louisiana police officer says his family offers its deepest sympathy to the officer's family.

Reached by phone on Monday, Edwin Howard said "the family is in deepest shock" and had no comment about the allegations against Ian Paul Howard of Lafayette.

He also said, "The Howard family would like to extend the deepest sympathy to the family of Cpl. Michael Middlebrook and their friends and everyone on the force, and they'll be in our prayers."

Louisiana State Police say Howard was arrested on charges including murder of a policeman. Middlebrook was shot when he answered a call about a shooting at a Big Boy convenience store in Lafayette late Sunday.

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4 p.m.

A witness says people apparently didn't realize a gunman who had shot a cashier in a Louisiana convenience store was still inside when a police officer entered and was killed.

Avery Cross of Lafayette tells The Advocate he went to the 24-hour store late Sunday, but it was locked.

Cross says an employee came to the door and told him a cashier had been shot.

He says two officers showed up and one went inside. Cross says that's when the gunman "popped out and started shooting."

Cross says he heard at least five shots, then the gunman then came out and fired into the air, yelling for people to back up.

Authorities say 28-year-old Ian Paul Howard of Lafayette was arrested on several charges, including murder of Lafayette Police Cpl. Michael Paul Middlebrook.

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3:30 p.m.

Police in Louisiana say a 28-year-old man is accused of killing a police officer and trying to kill three other people, including a second officer.

Louisiana State Police said Monday that Ian Paul Howard of Lafayette was arrested on several charges including murder. They did not say whether Howard has a previous police record.

Lafayette Police identified the slain officer as Cpl. Michael Paul Middlebrook, a nine-year patrol veteran. He's survived by his wife, their 3-year-old daughter, two stepdaughters and his parents.

State Police say he was killed late Sunday while answering a call about a shooting at a Big Boy convenience store.

Master Trooper Brooks David (DAH-veed) says two other people were wounded. He says Howard started a shootout and ran, but was arrested by Lafayette police.