La. officers, suspect wounded in gunfire

The Advocate is reporting that two Baton Rouge police officers were shot early Saturday morning as they responded to a call. The suspect 22-year-old Calvin Smith, on the other hand, was critically injured during the shootout and died Saturday night at a local hospital.

The incident occurred around 5:30 a.m. when the officers responded to a call concerning property damage, local media reported.

Smith was shot Saturday after police say he shot two Baton Rouge Police officers after a vehicle chase that ended on Fairfields Avenue.

Baton Rouge Police Sgt. Don Coppola says the officers confronted the suspect after a 2-mile vehicle chase early Saturday. Police say the officers returned fire.

Both of the officers received gunshot wounds during the shooting but managed to return fire hitting the suspect.

Their bullet injuries are not life threatening, Chief Carl Dabadie Jr. said. The suspect was undergoing surgery at the same hospital.

The two officers’ police cruisers were equipped with dash cameras and were recording during the situation. She also added that at one point he had attempted suicide. Moore noted that one officer is white and the other black.

Moore’s office will carry out an independent investigation.

Dozens of evidence markers were placed in the street, indicating the possible presence of shell casings and other evidence. Roads around the shooting scene are closed, police said.

Gina Chambers of Baton Rouge told News Two that Smith, the son of her godmother, was hospitalized in Shreveport a year ago after a suicide attempt.

The identities of the officers have not been released at this time.

District Attorney Hillar Moore states “Both of these officers were very fortunate to survive this encounter”.

“My first reaction was ‘How were these officers not killed?’ Clearly the suspect initiated the firing.”

No information was immediately available Saturday about the type of weapon Smith used, but a witness reported hearing multiple shots fired in rapid succession.

Chris Stewart, president of the Baton Rouge Union of Police, said he was glad the policemen made it out of the situation alive.