Associated Press
ANGOLA — Guards at Louisiana State Penitentiary opened fire on a man accused of ramming his car through the prison’s gates, hitting a prison investigator inside the complex after kidnapping his two children from Terrebonne Parish.
Angola Assistant Warden Cathy Fontenot said authorities do not know why Floyd Tillman drove with his children to Angola.
Tillman approached the gates then retreated several times before driving through the barriers at 2:34 p.m., amid gunfire from guards, Fontenot said.
Fontenot and Warden Burl Cain said the guards knew the children were inside the car but they followed protocol in an attempt to stop the vehicle.
Once inside the prison, Tillman immediately turned left and drove up to the Mississippi River levee, Fontenot said.
A prison investigator followed him in a car and their vehicles collided at 2:57 p.m., Fontenot said.
No injuries were reported from the gunfire and the investigator sustained minor injuries, Fontenot said.
Authorities say Tillman kidnapped his two children, ages 8 months and 2 years old, from Terrebonne Parish earlier Sunday.
State police are assisting with the investigation, Fontenot said.