UPDATE: Suspect Who Killed State Trooper Steven Vincent May Also Have Killed Roommate
UPDATE: Calcasieu Parish investigators have identified the deceased as Blake L. Brewer, 54, of Moss Bluff. More charges against Daigle are expected.
Investigators may have just gotten an unfortunate motive in Sunday's shooting of Louisiana State Trooper Steven Vincent. The roommate of the suspect, Kevin Daigle, 54, was found dead in their Moss Bluff residence today, and he may have shot Vincent out of fear of being captured.
Daigle was driving the roommate's truck erratically along La. 14 at around 2:45 p.m. Sunday (8/23) when he went into a ditch. Louisiana State Trooper Steven Vincent came upon Daigle after responding to calls related to the erratic driving. When Vincent approached the truck, Daigle produced a sawed-off shotgun and fired two blasts. Vincent was struck by one of the blasts and succumbed to his injuries this morning.
The shooting has seemed unmotivated, though if Daigle is involved in the roommate's death, it would at least give a reason toward the otherwise senseless act.
In a press conference, Calacsieu Parish Tony Mancuso said Daigle's roommate -- whose name has not yet been released -- did not report for work this morning. Deputies performed a check at the residence on Hollyvale Road and found the body. Mancuso said Daigle is the presumed suspect at the moment, though he cautioned that the investigation is in the very earliest stages.
Mancuso said there is evidence that Daigle was indeed staying at the residence, though it is not known how long he had been there. There was evidence of an altercation there, too. Police had already checked the residence Sunday evening after it was discovered that Daigle was driving the roommate's truck, but they thought no one was home. After it was reported that the roommate had not reported for work, they forced entry into the home.
In a press release, officials also said Daigle led investigators to believe there was an altercation between the two.
A prayer vigil is planned in Iowa for Trooper Vincent at 5:30 p.m. at St. Raphael's Catholic Church, 206 S. Kinney Ave. A second vigil will be held at Iowa High School, 401 W. Miller Ave., at 6:30 p.m.