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Louisiana State Police Investigating Officer-Involved Shooting in Lake Charles After an Escaped Inmate was Shot

Updated September 24, 2021

September 24, 2021 update from Louisiana State Police

From the Louisiana State Police, Lake Charles, LA – On September 23, 2021, at approximately 4:30 p.m., the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations was requested by the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office (CPSO) and the Lake Charles Police Department (LCPD) to investigate a shooting incident involving their personnel.

The incident occurred after CPSO received an anonymous tip regarding the whereabouts of an escaped inmate, 20-year-old Desmond Louis of Lake Charles. Louis had an active arrest warrant through the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office for simple escape after he fled from a work detail on September 20, 2021. Upon learning of Louis’ location, the CPSO SWAT team and LCPD arrived at a residence located on 11th Street in Lake Charles and began calling Louis and the other occupants out of the house.

During the course of the interaction, Louis fired multiple shots at CPSO and LCPD officers from inside the residence. A short time later, Louis exited the house through the front door and fired additional shots at officers. Several officers and deputies discharged their weapons, striking Louis. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
No deputies, officers, or occupants of the residence were injured during the incident.

Louisiana State Police is the lead investigating agency for the officer-involved shooting. The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office Forensic Investigative Unit responded to the scene and is assisting with the investigation.

This is an active investigation and no further information is available at this time.

September 23, 2021, 3:30 pm update from Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office

Desmond Louis was located at a residence in Lake Charles at which time gunfire was exchanged. Louis was shot during the incident. There is no further information at this time.

Original:

Lake Charles, LA – On Monday, September 20, 2021, at approximately 6:00 p.m. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives were advised a Department of Corrections inmate, Desmond D. Louis, 20, who was being housed at the Southwest Transitional Work Program, had walked off his job, located at a local restaurant in Lake Charles. Detectives have been continuously searching for Louis and last night, September 22, at approximately 9:00 p.m. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives received information revealing Louis was live on social media.

Detectives began viewing the social media feed and observed Louis traveling as a passenger in a car on Highway 171. CPSO detectives began searching for Louis on Highway 171 and pulled onto the shoulder in an attempt to locate Louis. A fully marked CPSO patrol unit observed what he believed to be the car Louis was in traveling on Highway 171 near Cobb Circle in Moss Bluff. The deputy activated his lights and siren in an attempt to initiate a traffic stop. The driver later learned to be a 16-year-old juvenile, pulled over in front of the detective’s unit. CPSO detectives exited the vehicle, at which time Louis began shooting at detectives, causing detectives to fire back.

The car fled the scene at which time a pursuit ensued and the driver ultimately pulled over near Jillian Drive in Beauregard Parish. It was learned Louis fled the car prior to the driver stopping.
Two passengers in the car, Keasia J. Wilfred, 19, of Lake Charles, who is the owner of the car, and Dannirriah Louis, 19, of Lake Charles, were arrested and booked into the Beauregard Parish Jail and transported to the Calcasieu Correctional Center. They are both charged with 2 counts of principal to attempted 1st-degree murder; and accessory after the fact to simple escape. Their bonds are still pending.

Detectives are currently attempting to locate Louis, who was last seen wearing no shirt and orange basketball shorts. He should be considered armed and dangerous so please do not approach him. If anyone sees Louis or knows of his whereabouts, they are asked to call 911, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office at 491-3605, or Crime Stoppers at 439-2222.
Detectives are also asking anyone who may have home surveillance in the areas to please review their footage and report any suspicious activity.
Louis was convicted of illegal use of a dangerous weapon in January 2020. He was also convicted of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, obstruction of justice, and illegal carrying of a weapon in April 2020.

CPSO Detective Michelle Robinson is the lead investigator on this case. Assisting is the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office, DeRidder Police Department, and the Lake Charles Police Department.
No injuries were sustained during the gunfire.

An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.