Sheriff: 2 deputies assassinated in LaPlace "ambush"

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.wlbt.com/story/19292402/sheriff-2-deputies-assassinated-in-laplace-ambush

Posted: Aug 16, 2012 6:40 AM CDT

LAPLACE, LA (WAFB) - Two sheriff's deputies were shot to death with an assault rifle early Thursday morning in what authorities are calling an ambush. Several suspects are in custody.

Sheriff Mike Tregre of St. John the Baptist Parish identified his fallen deputies as Brandon Nielson, 34, and Jeremy Triche, 27. He said the other two deputies are improving and are still in the hospital.

Tregre said the initial shooting happened near Bayou Steel on LA 3217 in a Valero plant parking lot south of LaPlace around 5 a.m. Deputy Jason Triche was helping with traffic in the area when someone walked up to him and opened fire.

Tregre said a witness called to report a speeding vehicle on the highway and deputies ended up at a nearby trailer park to investigate. He added two responding deputies were questioning two people about shooting when a third made his way outside through another door.

[geckosfeet]

1. This stinks. Hateful nutbags and firearms don't mix.

Valero Energy Corp. released the following statement:

This morning there was a shooting involving law enforcement officers providing security at an off-site parking lot used by contractors working at the Valero St. Charles Refinery. Valero employees offer their thoughts and prayers to the officers and the families of the officers involved in the shooting. Refinery operations have not been affected. The incident remains under investigation, and questions about the incident itself should be referred to local law enforcement. Any contractor who normally parks in the Montz lot should not report to work today. All other employees and contractors should report as scheduled.

One of the employees at the plant was just trying to get to work around the time of the shooting.

"I thought it would've been a leak from the plant or something like that, but then for it to be a shooting?" said Justin Travis, who works at the plant. "I've seen people get mad in the parking lot and stuff, but I never thought anybody would have shot anybody."

Sheriff: 2 deputies assassinated in LaPlace "ambush"

Ya got to wonder who orchestrated this and why. I wonder if this story will evaporate into the ether or if the motives of the killers will be made public.