By Kristin Askelson
The Advocate, Baton Rouge, La.
LAFAYETTE PARISH, La. — Louisiana State Police detectives are investigating a multi-agency officer-involved shooting that left a Duson man dead Saturday in Lafayette Parish.
Authorities identified the man as 34-year-old Michael Vavasseur.
State police said officers with the Scott Police Department attempted to stop a 2014 Nissan Altima driven by Vavasseur, who had escaped custody in Opelousas on Wednesday.
Vavasseur did not stop, leading to a pursuit through Lafayette Parish and into Carencro, where deputies with the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office and officers with the Carencro Police Department assisted.
During the pursuit, Vavasseur stopped at a residence on Tee Ma Road in Carencro, where a passenger exited the vehicle and was taken into custody. Authorities said Vavasseur then fled, nearly striking a Carencro officer. The officer fired at the vehicle, but Vavasseur continued.
The pursuit ended on North Wilderness Trail when Vavasseur’s vehicle collided with a law enforcement unit and became disabled. Investigators said Vavasseur exited the vehicle with a firearm and fled on foot, then stopped and fired at officers. Law enforcement returned fire, striking him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officials said a sheriff’s office K-9 was shot during the incident, treated by a veterinarian and is in stable condition. No other officers were injured, and the passenger was not hurt.
Authorities say Vavasseur escaped from a vehicle at approximately 3:30 p.m. Wednesday while being transported from STOA Behavioral Health back to the St. Landry Parish Jail.
During transport, he was able to partially free himself from restraints and fled from the vehicle near the intersection of U.S. Highway 190 and Wallior Street.
“Vavasseur is considered dangerous due to prior violent offenses. Do not approach,” police stated.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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