LAFAYETTE – An Iberia Parish woman has filed a suit against members of the parish's law enforcement after her mentally ill adult son was killed during an officer-involved shooting.
Mary Ann Gachassin, individually and on behalf of her deceased son Shannon Michael Labit, filed a complaint on July 3 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Lafayette Division against Parish of Iberia Sheriff Louis M. Ackal and Sheriff Deputy Isaiah Rochon alleging assault and battery, wrongful death and other counts.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on July 3, 2016, decedent Labit, who suffers from mental illness, was allegedly armed with a knife and stabbed two persons. When police arrived, the suit states they directly confronted and provoked Labit and that Rochon pulled his service revolver, shot and killed him.
The plaintiff alleges that she has suffered medical bills and expenses, loss of enjoyment of life and future companionship, grief and funeral expenses.
The plaintiff holds Ackal and Rochon responsible because the defendants allegedly inappropriately used deadly or excessive force.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks compensatory and punitive damages, attorney’s fees, costs and all other relief that the court deems just and proper. She is represented by L. Clayton Burgess of L. Clayton Burgess APLC in Lafayette.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Lafayette Division case number 6:17-cv-00858