A man walking down Airline Highway in Metairie carrying a gun in one hand and a knife in the other was shot and killed by responding officers says Louisiana State Police.
According to an LSP report, shortly before 10:00 p.m. Sunday night, multiple police agencies were assisting state troopers in directing traffic while crews repaired a traffic signal at the intersection of Airline Highway and Severn Avenue.
At some point, several concerned motorists passing by stopped to alert a trooper that a man was walking with a firearm on Airline Highway near Causeway Boulevard.
Officers responded to the area and found the man carrying a firearm in one hand and a knife in the other hand according to state police.
When officers attempted to make contact with the man, he fled on foot and officers gave chase.
“During the pursuit, law enforcement personnel gave repeated verbal commands to drop the weapons and discharged a taser which proved ineffective,” said state police in a report.
State police say the man ignored the officers' verbal commands, then faced officers and pointed the firearm in their direction.
A trooper and two East Jefferson Levee District Officers fired their weapons, striking the man who died on the scene.
At this time, troopers are working to identify the man. No troopers or officers were injured in the incident but Airline Highway in Metairie was closed to traffic for hours.
Louisiana State Police Crime Lab processed the scene for evidence. The investigation remains ongoing.
