Three officers wounded, gunman killed in multi-hour standoff near New Orleans

April 29 (UPI) -- Authorities in Louisiana said a SWAT sniper fatally shot a gunman, ending a multi-hour standoff during which the armed assailant wounded three police officers and two bystanders.

The standoff took place Sunday at a residence in Kenner, La., located within the suburban city of New Orleans.

The deceased suspect has been identified as 31-year-old Michael Lathers.

Police had been investigating Lathers for an attempted murder and robbery that took place last week about a block away when he opened fire Sunday morning on two people sitting in a vehicle outside his residence.

Parish Sheriff Joseph Lopinto told reporters during a press conference that the two bystanders were either coming to or leaving church and had incidentally stopped outside the residence, and that authorities believe Lathers shot them thinking they were police.

"He knew that they were looking for him," he said.

The two bystanders were taken to a local hospital where they were listed in stable condition.

Officers with the Kenner Police Department then responded to the scene, recognizing the home was connected to Lathers and obtained a search warrant.

After two hours of failing to execute the warrant, SWAT deployed a robot into the residence that was then "immobilized," Kenner Police Capt. Michael Cunningham said.

Three SWAT officers then sustained gunshot wounds as they attempted to free the robot, he said.

One was shot in the arm, another in the leg and the third in the stomach, he said, stating two of the three have been released from the hospital with the other listed in stable condition.

After the three officers were shot, Parish County SWAT was called in for assistance and took over the scene, Lopinto said.

Lathers was shot by a sniper about an hour later as he came outside of the residence with his rifle, he said.

"He's been declared deceased at the scene," Lopinto said.

He said his office has taken over the investigation.