Q&A: Robin Robinson
July 29, 2015
Galliano man had talent for classic muscle and candy coat
July 29, 2015
A Luling resident shot and killed by police officers Monday after a 20-mile vehicle chase committed “suicide by police officer” a ranking Terrebonne Parish law enforcement official said.
Jean Paul Falgout, 45, had a record of at least 20 arrests for offenses in the bayou region, including the theft two years ago of flat-screen televisions from Walmart stores in Thibodaux and Houma. Monday morning he was approached by a deputy, who knew he had an outstanding warrant in connection with a theft, at a convenience store in Dulac.
According to police reports Falgout fled in a white Ford SUV with a stolen tag on it, leading the deputy and others who joined her in a 20-mile chase up La. Highway 57. State Police and eventually
Houma city police joined the pursuit. On three occasions officers had laid out spike strips to aid in stopping the SUV.
Falgout finally stopped the vehicle at Woodlawn Ranch Road near La. Highway 56, allegedly emerging from the vehicle with what appeared to be a revolver in his hand.
Police attempted to have him drop the gun, which they believed was real; Falgout is said to have gotten into the SUV and out of it several times, finally pointing the gun at officers.
They fired, authorities confirmed. Three ranking law enforcement sources with direct knowledge of the case said that officers from all three departments fired their weapons, felling the suspect.
“This individual had every opportunity to stop and be questioned by the officers,” Sheriff Jerry Larpenter said. “He knew he was going to jail on a warrant for theft plus he was possibly involved in another theft. I think this individual had every intention of committing suicide by police officer when he was being chased.”
“You know when you come out of the car with a replica of a firearm and point it at police officers or at an individual trying to defend him or herself at their home you are committing suicide. You don’t pull a weapon out that looks like a real weapon or is a real weapon on a police officer.”
In the past, Larpenter and other police officials have made statements about Falgout’s arrests, noting that he was believed to have committed thefts to support a cocaine habit.
No officers were injured in connection with the incident. The Louisiana State Police are conducting an investigation of the shooting and are being assisted by the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Falgout is believed to have originally been from Terrebonne Parish.
An officer who was at the front lines when the shooting occurred said he was shaken by the incident, and had no doubt that every precaution was taken to keep Falgout from coming to harm.
Asked how he was doing, the officer said “I’m going home tonight.”
Law enforcement vehicles are crowded around the Ford SUV that Jean-Paul Falgout was driving while being pursued for 20 miles before stopping and pointing what appeared to be a handgun at officers, drawing gunfire from them that resulted in his death.
