GRETNA, LA (WGNO) — A Gretna police officer was injured in a chase and shooting involving a stolen car Thursday night. The suspect was shot. The chase spanned much of the west bank of Jefferson Parish.
Sheriff Newell Normand said that a license plate recognition camera detected a stolen car at about 9:15. Within about 15 minutes, deputies located the stolen Kia Optima in Marrero.
Normand said the Kia was reported stolen out of Kenner on December 3.
The sheriff said the driver of the stolen car refused to pullover and fired shots at deputies. The chase that followed led deputies into the downtown Gretna area where that city’s officers also responded.
Gretna Police Chief Arthur Lawson said the suspect tried to run over several officers at a roadblock then stopped the car at the intersection of Wayer and 4th where he exchanged gunfire with officers.
One Gretna officer was injured when he was hit by the stolen car at the roadblock. At last word he was at University Hospital in good condition with an ankle injury.
Lawson said the suspect ran from the area where the roadblock was in place and was located while hiding inside of a car in the 500 block of Derbigny.
Lawson said the suspect suffered a single gunshot wound to the stomach and was taken to University Hospital.
The JPSO identifies the suspect as 17-year-old Ray John Brown of New Orleans. No word on his condition, but his injuries are not believed to be life threatening.
Deputies say Brown also has an outstanding warrant in New Orleans on an aggravated assault charge.
