Louisiana State Trooper Kevin Biddy
PORT ALLEN, LA (WAFB) -
A Louisiana trooper is expected to fully recover after getting shot during a traffic stop early Wednesday morning. The suspect was shot by two responding sheriff's deputies.
Investigators said the bullet grazed Trooper Kevin Biddy's head. His injuries are not considered life-threatening. Biddy was treated and released from an area hospital.
Authorities said William Belniak, 20, of Burlington, Connecticut, was pulled over on LA 1 near Avenue G in Port Allen, right off I-10, around 2:30 a.m.
They added the two "scuffled" when the trooper tried to arrest Belniak on suspicion of DWI. During the fight, the trooper called for backup over the radio before the suspect got away from him and grabbed a gun from the car.
Biddy was able to catch up to him and they fought some more. Investigators said as they were struggling over the gun, Belniak fired a shot, which grazed the trooper's head. The trooper then fell to the ground.
Deputies from the West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office arrived on the scene just as this happened and shot the suspect. Officials said he was hit in the side.
According to Col. Mike Edmonson, superintendent of Louisiana State Police, the deputies drove up to find the suspect standing over the trooper with a gun pointed at him.
"These deputies were here within a matter of minutes," Edmonson said. "They were able to discharge their weapons, looks like at least four to six times, striking the suspect at least twice."
Sheriff Mike Cazes said two of his deputies were involved in the shooting. He said one deputy jumped out of the car and fired at the suspect, while the driver put the car in park and actually shot at the suspect through the windshield of his own squad car. Cazes said he spoke with the deputies and they told him they just reacted to the situation.
Belniak was taken to an area hospital and is listed in serious condition. Edmonson added one of the bullets may have hit his spine. He is charged with attempted first-degree murder of a police officer, resisting arrest and DWI.
Quick actions from deputies save trooper's life - WAFB Channel 9, Baton Rouge, LA |
I personally know this Trooper and was very worried when I heard about him last night. I thank God he is ok. It's getting wild down here.
