Chalmette - A St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's deput shot and killed a gunman who pointed his weapon at the officer, according to Sheriff Jack Stevens.
The shooting happened around 2 a.m. in the 800 block of Lebeau St. The suspect, Casey Dumas, 31, was involved in an apparent domestic dispute with his estranged wife, Stevens said. The couple had been separated for a month.
Investigators said Dumas had attacked his wife, Robin Menzato, at the address earlier in the night. He left the house, but threatened to come back and burn it down.
Menzato called the St. Bernard Sheriff's Office to report Dumas' behavior. Deputies arrived and met with Menzato and her two children. At that point, Dumas called and said he was coming back to the house, even though he was warned to stay away.
Minutes later Dumas pulled up to the house. As deputies walked out to intercept him, Dumas got out of his car and pulled a pistol, Stevens said. Officers drew their weapons and ordered Dumas to put his gun down.
Dumas put the pistol in his mouth, then pointed it at Cpl. Marco Spicuzza and began to walk towards him, Stevens said. Spicuzza fired twice at Dumas, hitting him both times. Spicuzza then wrestled with Dumas until he had him pinned down.
Dumas died at the scene. His body was taken to the St. Bernard Parish Coroner for an autopsy. The deputy was not injured.
