HOUMA, La. (AP) - A Louisiana man was fatally shot by police after he barricaded himself in a car, asked officers to kill him and later pointed a gun at them, authorities said.
Authorities identified the man as Miguel Nevarez, 36, The Houma Courier reported. Both the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Houma police were involved in the incident.
Houma police responded to a shots fired call around 9 p.m. Tuesday and learned that a man was randomly firing a weapon.
When police arrived, Nevarez barricaded himself in a car.
Parish Sheriff Tim Soignet said Nevarez repeatedly asked law enforcement to kill him.
Police Chief Dana Coleman said officers and deputies attempted to diffuse the situation but it was “spiraling out of control very quickly.”
Coleman said Nevarez left the car and threatened officers when he pointed a gun at them. Authorities later shot and killed him.
“It was a no-win situation for all involved,” Coleman said. “Our hearts go out to the gentlemen’s family as well as the families of the officers involved.”
State Police will investigate the shooting.
Former Terrebonne Parish Councilwoman Arlanda Williams said the incident happened across the street from her. She said Nevarez was her neighbor.
“Mental illness is real,” Williams said. “Tonight I watched as HPD and TPSO officers were negotiating with my neighbor as he threatened to kill himself and then gunshots were fired…Please keep his wife and children in your prayers.”
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