In a quiet Marrero neighborhood, the afternoon calm was shattered on May 28, 2025, when a 62-year-old woman from Lafitte was shot multiple times by Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies. The incident, unfolding around 2:30 p.m. in the 7300 block of the Westbank Expressway, left residents stunned and sparked intense community discussion about law enforcement encounters. The woman, whose identity remains undisclosed pending notification of her family, now lies in a hospital bed, her condition guarded, as authorities piece together the events that led to this violent confrontation.
The sequence of events began just after 2:15 p.m. when deputies responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle—a truck that had been flagged for reasons not yet fully detailed by officials. According to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, deputies approached the vehicle and attempted to engage the woman inside, instructing her to step out. What followed was a tense standoff, captured in part by a bystander’s cellphone video that has since circulated widely. The footage shows the woman seated in the driver’s seat of the truck, appearing to point a firearm at the deputies surrounding her. In a critical moment, she exits the vehicle with her hands raised, briefly giving the impression of compliance. However, as she moves toward the rear of the truck, she allegedly raises the weapon again, prompting two deputies to open fire.
The bystander video, paused before the graphic moment of the shooting, shows deputies swiftly closing in to secure the scene as the woman falls. She was struck multiple times and immediately transported to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment. Authorities have not released updates on her condition, leaving the community anxious for answers. The Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the incident was recorded not only by the bystander but also by deputies’ body-worn cameras and surveillance footage from a nearby business, all of which are now under review as part of an ongoing investigation.
Sheriff Joseph Lopinto, addressing the media, stated that the woman will face charges of aggravated assault on a peace officer once she is medically cleared. The decision to open fire, he explained, came after the woman allegedly pointed her weapon at deputies, creating an immediate threat. The Sheriff’s Office has not disclosed whether the woman made any verbal threats or what prompted her actions, but the presence of a firearm escalated the encounter rapidly. The investigation will focus on whether the deputies’ use of force was justified, a question that has already stirred debate among local residents and advocacy groups.
Marrero, a close-knit community within Jefferson Parish, is no stranger to sheriff’s office activity, but this incident has left many shaken. Neighbors described the Westbank Expressway area as typically quiet, with the Dollar General store nearby serving as a familiar hub for daily errands. Some expressed sympathy for the woman, wondering what circumstances led to such a drastic encounter, while others voiced support for the deputies, citing the danger posed by an armed individual. The Sheriff’s Office has urged anyone with additional information or video footage to come forward, providing a contact number, 504-364-5300, for tips.
This shooting adds to a series of high-profile deputy-involved incidents in Jefferson Parish, prompting renewed scrutiny of law enforcement protocols. Community leaders are calling for transparency as the investigation unfolds, particularly regarding the body-camera footage, which could provide critical clarity. For now, the woman’s fate remains uncertain, and Marrero grapples with the aftermath of a moment that unfolded in seconds but will resonate far longer.
