Police Officer and Another Victim Are Dead in Sunset

The officer who was allegedly shot by a suspect and one of the stabbing victims have died in Sunset, Louisiana. 

The two people allegedly stabbed by a suspected shooter in Sunset are sisters of Grand Coteau Interim Mayor Shaterral Johnson. Both Shameka Johnson and Officer Henry Nelson died Wednesday evening. 

The alleged gunman, later identified as Harrison Lee Wiley Jr., is in custody after barricading himself inside an mini-mart during a standoff.

St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says deputies made entry into the Exxon Mini Mart. The suspect had barricaded himself inside an office in the mini-mart but was eventually apprehended around 6:25 p.m.

"We had to go in with tools. We had to go in with tear gas, c-gas. We had to go in with hammers and firemen’s axes to try to get to the door and breach the door," said Guidroz. The sheriff also said a negotiator was on scene to try and talk the suspect into coming out peacefully.  

According to Sheriff Guidroz, the incident started off as a possible domestic issue and quickly turned into "hell in a hand basket." He said Officer Nelson was shot after responding to the scene of a stabbing on Anna Street. 

Wiley shot Nelson who was transported via helicopter to a hospital in Lafayette. The condition of the officer and stabbing victims are currently unknown. Colonel Mike Edmonson with the Louisiana State Police said that the officer was "responsive," but did not give any further details to the AP.

After shooting the officer, the suspect drove to the mini-mart where there were three people inside: the store owner, a cook and a customer. All three were able to make it out safely.

The suspect was treated by Acadian Ambulance medics for c-gas burns and irritation to the face and eyes after being taken into custody.

The mini-mart where the alleged gunman holed up caught on fire later Wednesday evening. The cause of the fire is unknown at this point.

Sunset is about 10 miles north of Lafayette and 10 miles south of Opelousas.