A 50-year-old man from Robert died after a pursuit ended in a Taser struggle and officer-involved shooting near Interstate 55 in Tangipahoa Parish. The driver of another pickup truck struck during the chase was not injured.
John E. Granger III was the sole occupant of a 2000 Ford F-350 when a Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office deputy attempted to stop him at Louisiana Highway 442 and Louisiana Highway 43, according to a Louisiana State Police release. Police said Granger refused to stop, leading to a pursuit that moved toward Tangipahoa Parish.
How the pursuit reached Interstate 55
Granger later exited Louisiana Highway 1063 and drove down a sloped embankment before the I-55 overpass, state police said. He abandoned the truck, crossed the southbound and northbound lanes of the interstate, and fled on foot into a wooded area and into Tangipahoa Parish.
During the pursuit, the 2000 Ford F-350 struck a 2019 Ford F-350 on southbound I-55, according to the agency. The driver of the 2019 truck was uninjured, while Granger continued fleeing on foot after leaving his vehicle behind.
Taser struggle preceded the shooting
A Livingston Parish deputy attempted to take Granger into custody, but he resisted multiple attempts to gain compliance. The deputy deployed a Taser, but investigators said Granger gained control of it and used it against the deputy, who sustained minor injuries.
The deputy then struck Granger and discharged a service weapon, state police said. Granger was transported to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries; Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office deputies responded to assist.
State police seek photos and video
Louisiana State Police detectives were requested to investigate the officer-involved shooting, and the investigation remains active. The release did not identify the deputy or provide additional details about what prompted the initial attempted stop.
Anyone with information, pictures or video related to the incident is asked to contact Louisiana State Police through its anonymous online reporting option. Tips may also be directed to Troop L at (985) 302-9272 or the LSP Fusion Center hotline at 1-800-434-8007.
