LPD Officer Shot By Fellow Cop During Investigation

Updated 5:50 p.m.
Lafayette Police have released the name of the officer shot Tuesday morning by one of her colleagues, as well as more details about the incident.

The injured officer is Lane Butler, a three-year veteran of the force. LPD officials say Butler was in an apartment in the 800 block of North Ninth Street searching for someone wanted on a warrant.

A press release from Chief Pat Flannelly says the apartment's occupant allowed Butler and two colleagues to search for the person of interest, and in the course of that search a previously-caged dog escaped and threatened the officers.

As Butler exited the building, one of her colleagues (who hasn't yet been identified) fired a round, striking Butler in the back, above the area protected by her bulletproof vest.

Police say they plan to conclude an initial investigation by Wednesday morning and release the names of the other officers involved at that time.

They also plan to convene a shooting review board -- a group of police officials who examine the events underlying any discharge of a service weapon -- as soon as the end of this week.

EARLIER:

A Lafayette police officer is in serious, but stable, condition after being shot by a fellow officer Tuesday. 

“At this point in time, obviously it’s a very difficult day for the Lafayette Police Department; one of our own was injured today,” says Lafayette Police Lieutenant Brian Phillips.

Phillips says the officers involved entered an apartment on the city’s near north side, but encountered an aggressive dog inside. What happened next is still under investigation, but what is clear is one officer shot the other in the back.

“There’s a lot of unpredictable variables any time as a police officer, when you’re out patrolling and responding to calls,” Phillips says. “You never know what you’re going to encounter.”

Phillips says the dog is now in the custody of animal control, and the incident will now be subject to both internal and criminal investigations.

Lafayette Police Department Sergeant Matt Gard says in the case of an aggressive animal, officers are allowed to use the weapons they have at their disposal to protect themselves, from pepper spray to a handgun, and that officers do receive training to handle and discharge their firearms safely.

Gard also says the officers were equipped with body cameras, though he couldn’t yet confirm if they were operating during the incident.