Brandon Nicholas dies in fatal Ascension Parish shooting
Fatal Ascension Parish shooting death of Brandon Nicholas
A fatal shooting involving a Louisiana State Trooper took place in Ascension Parish early Tuesday morning, resulting in the death of Brandon Nicholas. The incident occurred just before 2 a.m. on LA Highway 431 at the intersection with Highway 935, near the vicinity of St. Amant High School.
State police confirmed that a trooper initiated a traffic stop during which shots were fired, leading to one fatality. According to their initial statement to WAFB Channel 9, the trooper was not injured in the exchange. The event prompted immediate road closures in the affected area, disrupting travel for several hours and causing delays for commuters heading to the school.
The victim, identified as 34-year-old Brandon Nicholas, is a married father of four from St. Gabriel. His family members have spoken with the media, revealing that they were denied the opportunity to view his body at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Gonzales. They reported that he was transported to the hospital and pronounced deceased, with officials stating he would be sent to Jefferson Parish for an autopsy.
One family relative expressed frustration, stating, “We arrived at the hospital and were told they would not allow us to see him. Now they mentioned they are arranging an autopsy in Jefferson Parish.” When asked about the identification process, they added, “We inquired how they confirmed his identity, and they indicated they utilized his driver’s license for verification.”
Despite the trooper discharging their weapon during the stop, the Louisiana State Police have provided minimal updates, declining to elaborate on the circumstances of the shooting. This lack of transparency has sparked public concern, with questions remaining unanswered regarding why the case has not been handled by another law enforcement agency. Additionally, the school system for St. Amant High School informed parents about significant delays in bus routes and driver schedules due to the road closures, offering excused absences for late arrivals.
A promotional segment for News Talk 96.5 KPEL appears to be part of the broadcast, encouraging subscriptions, but offers no additional insight into the incident.
