The Louisiana State Police have made public a video involving trooper gunfire in Lafourche Parish, revealing further details on the September 8 incident that resulted in one fatality and led to the apprehension of two individuals connected with an ongoing illegal narcotics probe, as per the Louisiana State Police release.
According to the information provided by the State Police, 46-year-old Jonah Parfait was ensnared after a harrowing chase that ensued when officers attempted to halt his vehicle on Bull Run Road in Terrebonne Parish, Parfait didn't yield, and his Ford F-150 Raptor tore through the parishes with Parfait's passenger, 31-year-old Darien Riffe, who later fled on foot and was mortally wounded after brandishing a firearm. Parfait's desperate flight then met an abrupt conclusion as his vehicle collided with another on Louisiana Highway 1, where he ultimately plunged into Bayou Lafourche, only to be taken into custody with the assistance of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office K-9 division.
After the ordeal, Parfait was booked on charges including aggravated flight from an officer, reckless operation of a vehicle, and resisting an officer, after being treated for non-life-threatening injuries sustained in the crash; the uninvolved driver involved in the collision received minor injuries and was provided medical attention, the Louisiana State Police release.
The Louisiana State Police underscored that the Bureau of Investigations – Force Investigation Unit's inquiry is active and ongoing, with further information to be disclosed when appropriate, in coordination with the Lafourche Parish District Attorney’s Office, and they pointed out that footage released may contain redactions to preserve the privacy of individuals or protect witnesses and victims, stressing the advisory for viewer discretion.
The State Police is urging anyone with any additional information, including photos or video relevant to the event, to share it either anonymously via their online reporting system or by calling the LSP Fusion Center Hotline. The request was made through Sgt. Ross Brennan of the Public Affairs Section – Region 2, underscoring the community's role in aiding the investigation process, details of which have been laid out on their webpage.
