Shooting witnesses talk to police

Officer who fired shots reinstated after review
BY VANESSA C. DEGGINS

Investigators continue to gather information in the death of a Lake Charles man who was shot Feb. 9 by Lake Charles police as they checked on a recently burglarized house.

“They are still interviewing witnesses from the scene and are waiting on toxicology reports,” state police spokes–man Sgt. James Anderson said Monday. Because the shooting involves a local law enforcement agency, Troop D is in charge of the investigation.

The man, 29-year-old Warren Lawrence, reportedly walked into the house at 1738 Elms St. and came up behind the officers, Cpls. Dustin Fontenot and Lamar Cook, as they were searching the house for a possible burglar at about 8 p.m.

The officers turned and saw the man, and Fontenot — believing Lawrence to be armed — fired on him, officials said. Neighbors reported hearing at least five shots.

A third officer, rookie Shawna Broussard, was elsewhere on the property.

The investigation was immediately turned over to state police. Fontenot was placed on administrative leave with pay on the night of the shooting.

Sgt. Mark Kraus, spokes–man for the city police, said Fontenot was reinstated Monday afternoon after the department’s shooting review committee finished an internal investigation. The committee comprises supervisory members of the department, Kraus said.

According to police records provided to the American Press, Fontenot has been with the department for five years as a patrol officer. Cook has been with the department 16 years as a patrol officer. He had been training Broussard for six months.

Kraus said all of the officers have served in good standing and have been involved in no incidents before this one.

Court records show that Lawrence, who lived at 1736 Elms St., recently served a prison term for simple criminal property damage valued at more than $500. He had other arrests, but no other convictions.

His mother, Dora, told KPLC-TV that Lawrence was at home and went outside to smoke a cigarette at about 7 p.m. A short time later, she said, she heard gunfire.

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