BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) – The East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation into a Thursday, May 11 Denham Springs-area shooting that resulted in one man’s death and left an officer injured.

A Tuesday, May 16 news release from EBRSO said that after taking statements from officers and deputies who were on site, reviewing video surveillance footage and investigating each crime scene, it supports the actions taken by responding officers with the Denham Springs Police Department and the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office.

According to EBRSO, the developments that led up to the fatal shooting began around 3:45 p.m. Thursday, May 11.

Woman says he followed her

Deputies say a man identified as Justin Roberts, 30, was behind the wheel of a gold Jeep Cherokee when he followed a Livingston Parish woman from the Petco parking lot at 2358 Range Avenue to her home in Denham Springs.

Deputies said while following the woman, Roberts cut her off several times and “brake checked” her. But after she pulled into the home’s garage and closed the door, Roberts allegedly backed out of the driveway and left the area. 

Shortly after this, around 4:03 p.m., Roberts was reportedly seen at 240 Range 12 Boulevard near Sports Clips Haircuts, threatening a nearby patron and yelling at them. Authorities said 911 was called, and first responders were dispatched to the area.

After this, Roberts was spotted headed toward Bass Pro Boulevard. 

Parking lot fight leads to shots fired

By 4:15 p.m., Denham Springs Police Department officers were called to 2358 South Range Avenue to intervene in an argument between a man and woman in Petco’s parking lot.

Authorities say the man, suspected to be Roberts, began shouting at the woman. The woman said she threatened to call the police and got into her vehicle. She said this is when the man began following her through the lot. The woman later told officers she’d never met him before and didn’t know who he was.

Detectives say DSPD Cpl. Shawn Kelly and a trainee arrived on the scene in reference to the 911 call and started to approach Roberts around 4:22 p.m.

At that point, Roberts was in his vehicle and reportedly fired multiple gunshots at them through the driver’s side window. Detectives say Kelly was hit multiple times.

Roberts then drove across the parking lot toward a nearby Raising Cane’s restaurant before turning his vehicle around and driving back toward the DSPD officers. He reportedly fired more shots at the two officers. According to detectives, the DSPD trainee returned fire, sticking his vehicle. Roberts fled the scene, uninjured.

Livingston deputies shoot, arrest Roberts

Detectives say that at 4:29 p.m., a responding Uniform Patrol Deputy from the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office was headed north on Eugene Street in Denham Springs when he caught sight of Roberts’ vehicle in the road with Roberts standing nearby, armed with a rifle.

The deputy said Roberts was pointing the gun at him and he responded by coming to a quick stop, getting out of his unit and shooting Roberts.

At that point, authorities say Roberts was injured to the point of incapacitation. He was brought to an area hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Now that EBRSO has thoroughly investigated the case, all related information will be sent to the DSPD, LPSO and the Livingston Parish District Attorney.