Officer hit in shooting?

Breaux Bridge – A source close to the ongoing investigation says a law enforcement officer may have been shot in the exchange of gunfire that resulted in the death of murder suspect Jonathan Scott Latham here on Friday.

The unconfirmed report says the officer was not critically wounded as he was wearing a bullet-proof vest at the time of the incident.

State Police are currently investigating the shooting.

Latham, 34, was fatally shot during a confrontation with police in the 900 block of Alva Drive shortly before 11:30 p.m. on Sept. 25.

Other reports of the incident say officers, including deputies from the St. Martin Sheriff’s Office, entered a residence in order to arrest Latham, who ran to a bedroom in the back of the house. Officers reportedly pursued Latham, a struggle ensued, and it ended with Latham being shot dead.

Officials began searching for Latham late on Sept. 24, after he reportedly cut the throat of his girlfriend’s 17-year-old son in the 10400 block of North Road in Erath. Several hours later, Latham reportedly killed 78-year-old Oscar E. Figueroa Sr., his girlfriend’s grandfather. He allegedly raped and beat Figueroa’s 11-year-old great-granddaughter at their house on Fremin Road in Coteau.

Latham then drove off in Figueroa’s vehicle, and traded it for another one that he had reportedly stolen the night before in Vermilion Parish.

Latham was wanted in Iberia Parish on first degree murder and aggravated rape charges. In Vermilion Parish, he was wanted on attempted second degree murder and unauthorized use of a movable charges.

The young girl is in critical condition at a Lafayette hospital.

Latham’s motive is still unclear.