State Trooper, Woman Killed In Louisiana Shooting Spree; Suspect Arrested

KEY POINTS

The 31-year-old suspect is accused of shooting four people, killing two, in a multi-parish crime spree in Louisiana
The man allegedly ambushed a 19-year veteran state trooper while the latter sat in his car in Ascension Parish in Baton Rouge
The suspect is believed to have also fired at another trooper who tried to stop him for a traffic violation

A 31-year-old man allegedly killed a state trooper and a woman during a multi-parish shooting spree in Louisiana, police said.

Matthew Mire was taken into custody Saturday evening without incident after a wide-ranging manhunt, the Louisiana State Police said in a statement.

Mire is accused of ambushing 19-year veteran state trooper Adam Gaubert while the latter sat in his car in Ascension Parish in Baton Rouge Saturday morning.

“Trooper Gaubert embodied everything we stand for; honor, duty, selfless service, and courage,” the state police said. “In the days ahead, we will mourn his tragic death and honor his service to our department and the citizens of Louisiana.”

Mire is linked to a string of attacks that started a little after midnight Friday.

The suspect allegedly shot two people — a man and woman — at a trailer park on Highway 444 in Livingston Parish, WBRZ-TV reported. Their identities were not released.

Police said the man was shot in the arm and the woman was shot in both her arm and leg. Both of those victims are expected to survive, the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office said.

Mire is accused of shooting two more people in Ascension Parish, including Gaubert. The other victim, 37-year-old Pamela Adair, was killed at a home in Prairieville, Ascension Parish Sheriff Bobby Webre said.

Police said they believe Mire also fired at another trooper who tried to stop him on Louisiana Highway 42 in Ascension for a traffic violation. The trooper was not injured, but his police car was damaged by bullets.

After a gunfight and short chase, the suspect fled on foot – prompting a massive manhunt.

“We do not believe (the shooting in Livingston Parish) to be a random shooting,” Sheriff Jason Ard said in a statement prior to the suspect's arrest. “It’s believed Mire was familiar with the victims.”

Mire is facing charges of attempted first-degree murder, first-degree murder, illegal use of weapons, home invasion and illegal possession of stolen things up to $25,000.