A man was shot and killed in Hahnville Thursday morning during an encounter with police.
At 7 a.m., deputies with the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to Nicholas Street in Hahnville and advised that a man was walking on the street pointing a gun in a threatening manner at two people in the area, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office said that when deputies arrived on the scene, they saw a white male that they knew as Charles Verdin, 58, sitting inside a van behind a warehouse in the driver’s seat facing Nicholas Street.
“Deputies tactically positioned themselves around the van and, for several minutes on their PA system, tried to convince Verdin to get out of the vehicle peacefully,” said Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Sgt. Jenni Barrette. “Despite repeated efforts and commands to put the gun down and get out with his hands raised, Verdin refused and then aggressively pointed what appeared to be an AR-15-style rifle in the direction of deputies, prompting them to discharge their weapons.”
Verdin was struck several times and deputies immediately administered emergency medical aid to Verdin until arriving EMTs took over, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Verdin shortly thereafter died at the scene.
After crime scene technicians processed the scene, it was discovered that the firearm held by Verdin was a realistic appearing “airsoft” type gun.
The Sheriff’s Office noted that Verdin had an extensive criminal history dating back to 2003 that included drug charges, aggravated assault, criminal trespass, theft, simple battery, DWI and aggravated assault against a peace officer with a motor vehicle; and that at the start of September, Verdin was served a restraining order instructing him to stay away from a resident living on Nicholas Street in Hahnville.
The shooting occurred at approximately 7:45 a.m.
