IBERVILLE PARISH, La. — A Louisiana sheriff’s deputy was killed and another critically injured in a courthouse shooting, the Daily Advertiser reported. The suspect was also killed during the incident.
The shooting occurred on Oct. 6 inside the Iberville Parish Courthouse during an after-hours interview involving two deputies and a suspect. According to Iberville Parish Deputy Ronnie Hebert, Deputy Charles Riley, who was married with two children, died from his injuries. Detective Brett Stassi Jr., the son of Iberville Parish Sheriff Brett Stassi, remains hospitalized in stable but critical condition.
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“We’re all just stunned and distraught; this just doesn’t happen here,” Hebert told the Advertiser.
The details surrounding how the suspect gained access to a weapon remain under investigation, according to the report. The Louisiana State Police is leading the investigation, with assistance from the FBI.
“I’ve been here 31 years, and it’s the first time I’ve ever been part of an investigation where one of our deputies was shot or killed,” Hebert said, calling Deputy Riley “a helluva deputy and person, one of those guys everybody loved.”
Hebert said Sheriff Stassi and his wife, Caroline, are at their son’s bedside. He also noted a widespread show of support from surrounding parishes and urged the public to continue offering prayers.
The incident has drawn reactions from across the state.
“Absolutely horrific news out of Iberville Parish tonight. Please join Sharon and me in praying for the deputy killed, for Deputy Stassi who is in stable condition, their families, and the entire Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office. The violence must end,” Gov. Jeff Landry posted on X.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill told the Advertiser she believed the deputies were in the process of booking the suspect on sexual assault charges when the shooting occurred.
The Louisiana State Police has not yet released further details about the suspect or the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The investigation remains ongoing.
