METAIRIE, La. – A Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office deputy responding to a disturbance call at the Wyndham Garden hotel was shot by a suspect late Sunday night in the 6400 block of Veterans Memorial Blvd.
Sheriff Joe Lopinto said the deputy, identified as 11-year veteran Christopher Haislup, was shot in the elbow and leg and was at University Hospital. His injuries were not believed to be life-threatening, but Lopinto said Haislup would have a long recovery and was in quite a bit of pain.
Haislup is married and has a two-year-old son and an eight-month-old daughter.
The JPSO says surgery is likely in the next several days.
Story continues under photo of suspect Tyronne Louis
A manhunt was underway for the suspect, identified as 38-year-old Tyronne Louis. Lopinto said Louis does have a criminal history, but he was not sure of the extent of Louis' record.
"We hope we can locate him tonight, before anyone else gets hurt," said Lopinto, who asked anyone who knows Louis to give police or Crimestoppers a call.
Crimestoppers has announced a $10,000 rewards of information that leads to the arrest and indictment of Louis.
Lopinto said Haislup, along with another backup unit, went to the hotel after a call about a disturbance involving Louis and a woman Lopinto said was believed to be his girlfriend. Lopinto said the officers were bringing Louis outside of the hotel and he took off running.
"He got about 20 or so feet away, turned around and fired at the officer, striking him two times," Lopinto told a group of reporters.
Lopinto credited the quick actions of the other deputies on the scene, saying that they helped apply a tourniquet and that other units blocked off the interstate to provide an escort for the ambulance. He said he saw the Haislup at the hospital and that he had a smile on his face.
"I'd much rather visit an officer in the hospital than in the funeral home," said Lopinto.
JPSO is being assisted by the Louisiana State Police, FBI-New Orleans Office, US Marshals Service-New Orleans Field Office, and ATF-New Orleans Field Office in attempts to find Louis.
Anyone with information on the location of Tyronne Louis is asked to call the Jefferson Parish Investigations Bureau at 504-364-5300 or contact Crimestoppers.