Louisiana State Police are updating the public after an all-night investigation into an officer-involved shooting in Lafayette. The victim in the shooting died from his injuries after being shot by Lafayette Police Officers. It is the protocol for state police to investigate officer-involved shootings.

A video that has since been shared thousands of times online shows a group of officers on a foot pursuit with a black male. Eyewitnesses who were videoing the incident say the man was armed with a large knife. Shots were fired just after it appears the man tried to open the door of the gas station. Officers had responded to a call about a disturbance in the area a short time earlier.

In a release that was sent out early Saturday, LSP Troop I investigators say:

On August 21, 2020, the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations was requested by the Lafayette Police Department (LPD) to investigate a shooting incident involving their officers.

The preliminary investigation revealed that shortly after 8:00 p.m., LPD officers responded to a disturbance involving a person armed with a knife at a convenience store located along NE Evangeline Throughway. Upon arrival, officers encountered 31-year-old Trayford Pellerin of Lafayette in the parking lot of the convenience store. As LPD officers attempted to apprehend Pellerin, he fled the scene and a foot pursuit ensued. Officers deployed Tasers as they pursued Pellerin, but they were ineffective.

Pellerin, who was still armed with a knife, attempted to enter an occupied convenience store located along NW Evangeline Throughway. Officers discharged their weapons and he was struck by gunfire. Pellerin was transported to an area hospital where he was later pronounced dead. No officers were injured.

The investigation is active and ongoing. No further information is available at this time.

A spokesman for Lafayette Police confirmed to KPEL News that the officers involved in the shooting have been placed on paid administrative leave.

The story has reached a national audience with TMZ reporting that the officers involved are on paid administrative leave. We have been unable to reach local authorities as of this writing to confirm that yet.

We'll continue to monitor the story and bring you any updates as they happen.

Classic Rock 105.1 logo
Enter your number to get our free mobile app

 

 

More From Classic Rock 105.1