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A SWAT team responded to a report of two people shot outside a home in Kenner, Louisiana.
CNN
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Three police officers were injured by gunfire during a shooting outside a home in Kenner, Louisiana, on Sunday, authorities said.
Sheriff Joseph Lopinto said in a joint news conference that the suspect, identified as 31-year-old Matthew Lazars, was ultimately shot and killed by a sniper from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office.
Around 9:45 a.m., Kenner police were called to reports of two people shot outside a home. Kenner Police Lt. Michael Cunningham told reporters the victims were sitting in the vehicle.
“We believed they were going to church or coming from church, but they just happened to stop in front of the residence and that's when they got shot,” Cunningham said.
Both victims showed responding officers the house where the gunshots came from, according to a joint statement from Lopinto and Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley.
Detectives recognized the address as belonging to Lazars' family. Lovers had outstanding warrants for attempted murder and armed robbery earlier this week, the statement said.
Police obtained a search warrant and a SWAT team arrived on scene to execute the warrant. When the team entered the home, “we immediately began receiving gunfire,” the statement said.
“At least one SWAT member returned fire. Three officers were shot, but it is unclear at this time whether Lazars was shot during initial contact.”
Kenner police then requested assistance from the sheriff's office. When officers arrived, the suspect began firing at the armored vehicle they were traveling in, the statement said. “Multiple attempts were made to contact Mr. Lazars to begin negotiations, but all efforts were unsuccessful,” it added.
Lopinto said the sniper was then able to shoot Lazars, fatally wounding him. Lazarus was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two of the injured Kenner officers have been released from the hospital, and the other is in stable condition, Cunningham said.
Two innocent bystanders who were shot earlier in the day are also in stable condition at the hospital, the police chief said.
The sheriff said his office will be in charge of investigating the shooting.
Kenner is approximately 21 miles west of New Orleans.