HOUMA — A Houma cop and the 25-year-old suspect he pursued on a miles-long chase early this morning were both shot when they exchanged gunfire, police said.
Officer Kelly Champagne was shot first, after shocking the suspect with a Taser, said Interim Police Chief Todd Duplantis. Champagne was grazed on the left arm and hit in the chest, where the bullet was stopped by his protective vest, Duplantis said.
Champagne returned fire, hitting Wendell Coby Matthews, 108 Uriah St., Chauvin, multiple times, Duplantis said. Matthews remained in stable condition this morning at Leonard Chabert Medical Center.
Champagne was treated at Terrebonne General Medical Center and released this morning, Duplantis said, adding the protective vest likely saved his life.
"It could have been way more serious," Duplantis said. "It was pretty much square in his chest. It could have been fatal."
Charges are pending against Matthews as State Police investigate.
The chase began as Champagne and officer Keith Besson patrolled near Daniel Turner Trailer Court just before 3 a.m., Duplantis said. Matthews allegedly sped away in a 1998 Kia Sport when he spotted the officers.
Matthews drove down East Street and then to Grand Caillou Road, where he turned on Moffett Road, he said. Officers, who were in separate cars, chased him to Main Street but he allegedly refused to stop as he drove to Bayouside Drive from the Duplantis Bridge.
He exited the car near Anacin Street, stopping in a ditch in front of a home in the 4800 block of Bayouside Drive between Anacin and Warrant streets, Duplantis said.
The officers chased him on foot to nearby woods, where he resisted them, Duplantis said. Champagne shocked Matthews with his Taser and Matthews allegedly pulled out a gun and fired at Champagne.
Matthews was arrested by Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office and State Police officers who arrived as back-up, Duplantis said. He was found hiding beneath a trailer on Anacin Street.
Officers are unsure what type of gun was used in the shooting and were searching for the weapon this morning, Duplantis said. He did not know how many shots Champagne fired or where Matthews was struck.
