Suspect Killed In Officer Involved Shooting

Friday 5:15 p.m.
Deputy Chief Lester Hargrove would not identify the police officer who shot and killed a suspect early this morning, but he did say the officer is a 20 year veteran of the police force.

Police say the suspect, 25 year old Demetrius Spencer, had two active warrants at the time he was shot. According to the warrants, Spencer slashed the tires on his girlfriend's vehicle with a knife on August 12th, then threw a brick through a window of his girlfriend's car the next day.

Friday 3:45 p.m.
District Attorney John Tyson says the suspect fired at least eight shots before police arrived, and at least one more shot during the foot chase. Tyson says officers believed the last shot was directed at them.

Police chased the suspect, 25 year old Demetrius Spencer, at least 100 yards through the complex before he backed himself into a corner. Somewhere along the way, the suspect tossed his gun, but Tyson says police didn't see him do it.

According to investigators, officers on the scene told Spencer to surrender, but he refused. Tyson says one officer fired at Spencer, shooting him in the head.

The suspect's gun was recovered in some bushes along the route of the chase, according to Tyson.

According to court records, Spencer has been arrested at least seven times in the last five years.

Deputy Cheif Lester Hargrove has scheduled at 4:15 press conference.

Friday 11:00 a.m.A suspect shot by police during a foot chase has died.

Frank Demetrius Spencer, 25, died around 10 a.m at USA Medical Center.

According to police, officers responded to the French Quarter Apartment complex on Azalea Road at 4:30 this morning after someone called 911 to report shots being fired.

Witnesses say Spencer had just returned from a nightclub and was firing the shots in the air. When police arrived, officers say he started running. Cpl. Charles Bagsby, a spokesperson for the police department, says Spencer fired a shot at officers during the foot chase, and one of the officers returned fire.

Neighbors say during the chase, Spencer tossed his gun, but police will not confirm that.