Independence, LA — Louisiana State Police have identified the suspect involved in an intense shootout, car chase, and dual carjacking that left one officer wounded early Wednesday morning in Tangipahoa Parish. Authorities confirmed the man as 34-year-old Trey Ramey, a resident of Brusly.
The dramatic events unfolded around 3 a.m. Wednesday on U.S. Highway 51, just outside Independence, after a Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy attempted to stop Ramey’s 2016 Chevrolet Trax for an equipment violation.
Traffic Stop Escalates Into Gunfire
State Police say Ramey fled immediately, sparking a high-speed pursuit. During the chase, he allegedly opened fire on pursuing officers, triggering a gun battle involving law enforcement from multiple local agencies.
According to investigators, Ramey exchanged rounds with a Tickfaw Police Department officer and ultimately shot and wounded an Independence Police Department officer. The officer sustained a gunshot wound to the leg and was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
As gunfire continued, a Louisiana State Police trooper also discharged their weapon at Ramey. Officials have not confirmed which officer’s shot ultimately struck the suspect.
Two Carjackings and a Crash on Highway 51
Authorities say that amid the chaos, Ramey abandoned his original vehicle and carjacked two civilians, stealing their 2015 Toyota Camry and speeding off again along Highway 51.
The pursuit came to another violent halt when Ramey crashed the Camry and fled into a nearby wooded area on foot. Officers from multiple agencies launched a large-scale manhunt.
Suspect Captured After Three-Hour Search
Ramey was located and taken into custody roughly three hours after the initial traffic stop. He was transported to a hospital, where authorities say he remained under treatment as of Thursday night.
Medical personnel also confirmed that the injured Independence officer received treatment for his leg wound and is expected to recover.
Active Warrants and New Charges Pending
During the investigation, Louisiana State Police discovered that Ramey had multiple active warrants, including:
- Hit and run
- Careless operation of a vehicle
- Filing false police reports
- Injuring public records
Officials said Ramey will be booked on these pre-existing warrants as well as new charges stemming from the shootout, pursuit, carjackings, and injuries to law enforcement. Additional counts are expected as the case develops.
Authorities Continue Investigating
Police say the investigation remains ongoing and that more details will be released in coordination with the Tangipahoa Parish District Attorney’s Office. Detectives are continuing to review body-camera footage, witness statements, ballistic evidence, and the sequence of events that led to the violent encounter.
Residents in the area reported hearing sirens, gunshots, and helicopters during the early-morning hours, calling the incident one of the most alarming in recent memory for the rural community.
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