Gunman Shot Dead by Police Sniper After Wounding 3 Officers in Louisiana Standoff

A gunman has died after wounding three Louisiana police officers during a standoff in Kenner, Louisiana, on Sunday, April 28, according to authorities.

The incident happened after police tried to enter the home of a man wanted in connection with the shooting of two people earlier in the day, Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley and Joseph Lopinto of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office (JPSO) said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. 

The gunman — identified by police as Michael Lathers, 31 — was shot dead by a police sniper, according to the statement. The town of Kenner is approximately 15 miles west of New Orleans.  

“During the incident, three Kenner Police Department officers were shot, and eventually the suspect was fatally shot by a JPSO deputy,” the statement said. “All three Kenner officers are in stable condition in a local hospital.”

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. 

The shooting occurred after police were called to the 700 block of Farm Avenue in Kenner at around 9:45 local time "after two people were shot outside of a residence," added the authorities.

"Victims of the shooting identified the residence in which the gunfire originated," said the police, which led them to identify the gunman as Lathers, "who was wanted for an attempted murder and armed robbery that occurred earlier in the week in Kenner."

"There was an outstanding warrant for Lathers for that incident," added the statement.

"A search warrant was obtained, and the Kenner Police SWAT team arrived on scene to execute the warrant. The team made entry into the residence and immediately began receiving fire.  At least one SWAT member returned fire. Three officers were shot, and it is unknown at this time if Lathers was struck during that initial contact."

Following this, Kenner Police requested the assistance of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office (JPSO) and "within minutes, Lathers began shooting at a JPSO armored vehicle in which deputies were stationed," stated the police. "Multiple attempts were made to contact Lathers to open negotiations, but all efforts were unsuccessful." 

"After earlier firing at the armored vehicle, Lathers returned to a position from which he could again fire on the vehicle," continued the police. "A JPSO sniper was able to fire at Lathers, who was fatally wounded. Lathers was pronounced dead on the scene."