SWAT Article

September 12, 2007

New Orleans SWAT arrests man after standoff

The New Orleans Times-Picayune

NEW ORLEANS — A 36-year-old New Orleans man suspected of shoplifting punched a police officer, led officers on a brief chase and holed up inside his home for two hours Tuesday morning in a tense standoff that ended without incident.

Kerwin Marigny, of the 5700 block of Red Maple Drive in eastern New Orleans, was accused of stealing merchandise Tuesday from The Home Depot in the 12300 block of the Interstate 10 Service Road at about 10 a.m., according to a New Orleans police news release.

When a New Orleans police officer confronted him, Marigny socked the officer in the face and punched a store employee before fleeing in a U-Haul truck, police said.

An Orleans Parish sheriff's deputy stopped the truck soon afterward near Lake Forest Boulevard. The deputy approached the truck with his gun drawn and ordered Marigny out of the truck, police said. He responded by swinging the truck door wildly, striking the deputy, according to police.

"The deputy accidentally discharged his weapon," the release said.

Marigny then fled in the truck to his home on Red Maple. The SWAT tactical unit was called in and surrounded the house. After two hours of negotiation, Marigny surrendered, police said.

The NOPD officer, who was not identified, was treated at a hospital for a broken jaw. The store employee had minor injuries. The deputy was not injured.

Marigny was booked with theft, battery, resisting and fleeing and on narcotics warrants, police said.