Kenner Standoff Leaves Three Officers Wounded as Suspect Killed by SWAT Team

Three police officers in Kenner, Louisiana were injured during a standoff with a suspect on Sunday who had been involved in two shootings earlier that day. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office SWAT team deployed a sniper to eliminate the assailant, identified as Matthew Lathers (31), after he appeared outside his residence armed with a rifle and fired upon three officers surrounding him during negotiations. According to FOX 8 News, Lathers was also suspected of an earlier robbery in which a victim aged 56 sustained gunshot wounds, and the shooting of two men who had mistakenly stopped near Lather’s home while presumed by him as law enforcement officials. The standoff ensued after police encircled his residence following that incident. Two officers have been discharged from hospital care, whilst a third remains in stable condition at this time. Sheriff Joe Lopinto of Jefferson Parish stated to FOX 8 News: “He probably didn’t want to go to jail… We attempted numerous times to negotiate with him, but he refused and failed to reply.” This occurrence happened nearby Kenner’s Rivertown Center Mall; nevertheless, no harm came about for mall-goers.