The Advocate
NEW ROADS, La. — A 21-year-old man shot a police officer in the shoulder late Friday while fleeing the scene of a traffic stop, authorities reported Saturday.
Officer John Chambliss was transported to Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center with serious injuries, said State Police spokesman Johnnie Brown.
New Roads Police Chief Kevin McDonald said the officer remained under treatment for his wound Saturday afternoon.
Chambliss stopped a vehicle in the 200 block of Morningside Street at 9:24 p.m., Brown said. During the stop, Chambliss smelled what he believed to be marijuana, and called for backup to search the vehicle.
The officers removed the driver and two passengers from the vehicle, at which point one of the passengers, Brett J. Porche, of 8823 Calligan Lane, Morganza, fled on foot, Brown said in a news release.
Chambliss ran after Porche, who opened fire at him, striking the officer once in the shoulder, Brown said. Another shot was deflected by Chambliss’ bulletproof vest.
Law enforcement officers from six agencies, including the Angola chase team, began searching for Porche, Brown said. Several hours later, Porche’s father brought him to the New Roads Police Department.
McDonald said Porche confessed to shooting Chambliss and having drugs at the time of the traffic stop.
“He said he was shooting in the air, attempting to get away, and didn’t mean to hit anybody,” McDonald said.
Porche was booked into Point Coupee Detention Center with attempted first-degree murder of a police officer, aggravated battery, resisting an officer, illegal carrying of a weapon and possession with intent to distribute, Brown said.
Copyright 2008 The Advocate