One Lafayette officer dead, three injured after Jeanerette hostage standoff

JEANERETTE, La. (KLFY)– One Lafayette officer has died, three other officers were injured and the suspect has been arrested after an hours-long armed hostage standoff in Jeanerette with multiple law enforcement agencies, including the SWAT team.

The incident claimed the life of Sr. Cpl. Segus R. Jolivette, 35, of the Lafayette Police Department.

In a news release Friday, LPD said Jolivette joined the department in 2013. A member of the SWAT negotiator team, he served as an active patrol officer, and also previously served as a school resource officer.

“His commitment extended beyond daily duties, as he was a respected former juvenile detective, an active member of the honor guard,” the release read. “Senior Corporal dedicated much of his free time supporting the explorer program, helping Lafayette’s youth to gain a better understanding of law enforcement operations and the importance of relationship building in our community.”

Previously with Opelousas PD, Jolivette leaves behind his wife and five children.

Around 9 a.m. Thursday, The Marshal’s Office learned that the suspect, now identified as 31-year-old Nyjal Hurst, was inside of a home located in the 2500 Block of Martin Luther King Drive.

After deputies arrived, two people came out of the residence and said Hurst was inside; Hurst then proceeded to barricade himself and two others, one being a juvenile.

During the standoff, the suspect fired multiple shots at officers; two officers were shot, and bullet fragments hit the other two officers, according to the Lafayette Police Department.

Lafayette Police said the other three officers are currently in good condition with non-life-threatening injuries.

Officials said the incident began when the the City Marshal attempted to serve an arrest warrant at the home.

Nyjal was wanted at the time by the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office for attempted first degree murder in a drive-by shooting. Court records also show he was arrested in Lafayette Parish in July 2023 for numerous charges including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

According to law enforcement, Hurst was known to have outstanding arrest warrants for Jeanerette Police Department for aggravated second degree battery and home invasion. The Marshal’s Office said the suspect also has arrests warrants for St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office for armed robbery, illegal use of weapons, attempted car jacking, domestic abuse battery child endangerment by strangulation, and two counts of aggravated battery.

The Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team, New Iberia Police Department SWAT Team, Lafayette Police Department SWAT Team, Vermilion Parish Sheriff Office, Baldwin Police Department and Jeanerette Police Department were all called out to help.

Louisiana State Police is investigating the incident as an officer-involved shooting.

“At this time, the situation is still unfolding and we are in the process of gathering all relevant details to understand the events that took place. Our primary concern is the safety and well-being of our officers. We are committed to keeping the public informed as more information becomes available. Please join me in prayer for these officers, their families, and all those affected by this incident,” the Lafayette Consolidated Government said.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.