…”[Officer] Hazeltine was shot in an “apparent ambush” Thursday (April 16) around 8:30 a.m. while directing traffic in a Paradis school zone”…

…”Other deputies were in the area and responded to the shooting, Champagne said. They took the man, whose name has not been released, into custody after a “tussle.””…

(New Orleans) A St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s deputy was shot three times Thursday morning, with one bullet penetrating his lung, authorities said. He is in stable but guarded condition at LSU Interim Hospital in New Orleans.

Sheriff Greg Champagne identified the injured deputy as Burt Hazeltine, a “solid deputy” and corporal in the traffic division who has been with the department for 12 to 15 years.

Champagne addressed reporters around 11:15 a.m. outside the ER entrance of the hospital. He said Hazeltine is in his late 30s and is married with four young children.

Hazeltine was shot in an “apparent ambush” Thursday (April 16) around 8:30 a.m. while directing traffic in a Paradis school zone, the Sheriff’s Office said. He was rushed to the hospital in New Orleans and taken into surgery.

Champagne said the deputy was shot in the face near his left eye, in his left elbow and in the right side of his chest. The bullet in his chest penetrated a lung. In addition, he has bleeding in his chest and a bullet lodged behind his eye, raising questions whether he will lose sight in it.

Yet, his vital signs are good and authorities are holding out hope for his recovery.

[…]  Champagne said the man they have in custody is in his late 50s. They said he pulled into a nearby convenience store and opened fire, shooting Hazeltine on U.S. 90 near Louisiana Street. Nearby R.J. Vial Elementary and J.B. Martin Middle School were locked down until about 10 a.m.

Investigators aren’t sure if there was a verbal exchange between the men prior to the shooting. However, investigators believe Hazeltine returned fire. (read more)