A deputy U.S. marshal was shot and killed Monday while serving an arrest warrant in Alexandria, Louisiana, the U.S. Marshals Service said.
The Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office said its detectives were with marshals when the shooting occurred at about 3 p.m. and that, after a lengthy standoff, the suspect, who sustained injuries, was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital; the standoff lasted roughly three hours.
The FBI, the sheriff's office and the Louisiana State Police are conducting a joint investigation with the FBI in the lead. FBI Director Kash Patel said on social media late Monday night that the bureau is "offering full resources" and added, "Please pray for the deputy's family and friends."
Authorities have not released the names of the slain marshal or the suspect. Several neighbors said they know the suspect and that he lives a few houses from the scene. One neighbor who asked not to be identified said, "He was a good man. You know? He was always in good spirits. You know? So definitely didn't expect this."
Louis Means, a cashier at the nearby Tobacco Plus, said, "I actually gave him a ride over to Popeye's one day, and he spoke a lot of life into me. He was a good dude. He had a lot of wisdom on him. You never would have expected something like this."
An area resident said she heard multiple gunshots and immediately moved to protect her children: "I just kept telling them, just get down. I had them in the room, down. Because I didn't know what was going on," she said. Alexandria is approximately 95 miles northwest of Baton Rouge.
The FBI New Orleans Field Office said, "Because this is a very active and ongoing investigation, we cannot comment further at this time." Tom Chittum, the former associate deputy director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, said, "Fugitive operations are some of the most dangerous situations that law enforcement officers face because they are often pursuing people who know they are wanted, are on alert, and have already decided they are not going to be taken into custody without a fight. It is truly dangerous work."