March 31st, 2026

ETAIRIE, La. (WVUE) - The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office says a narcotics investigation in Metairie escalated into a deputy-involved shooting after a suspect rammed a deputy vehicle and a third man approached deputies with a gun.

Sheriff Joe Lopinto said deputies were investigating two people in a white car when plainclothes narcotics officers in a van tried to stop them in the 2500 block of Pasadena Avenue.

According to Lopinto, the driver of the white car rammed the van as deputies moved in.

JPSO says deputies then began arresting the people from the car when a third man approached them on foot while armed.

“Our Narcotics Division was making an arrest on an individual, had that person down on the street, was making that arrest when another individual approached from their blindside and ended up pulling out a handgun with an extended magazine,” Lopinto said.

“It looked like it almost an execution-style, they were trying to ambush the deputies that were making the arrest on the other individual,” he said.

Lopinto said one deputy was able to return fire, striking the armed man several times.

“One of our deputies was able to draw and fire back at that suspect, striking him several times,” Lopinto said.

The shooting happened in a residential area lined with apartments, where neighbors said the scene unfolded in seconds.

JPSO has not yet released the names of the people involved or said what charges they could face.