Suspect in Lafayette officer shooting consistently failed to meet his parole obligations, records show (2024)

Nyjal Hurst, 31, the suspect who allegedly took two hostages and killed a Lafayette SWAT officer after an hours-long standoff, had extensive run-ins with law enforcement and consistently failed to meet his parole obligations, according to Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections records.

Hurst in 2014, then 21 years old and living in Jeanerette, was suspected of attempted first-degree murder in a drive-by shooting in the 300 block of Belle Place Oliveria Road, according to previous reporting.

The 2014 shooting occurred sometime after he failed to report to his probation officer for previous drug charges in 2012, according to DOSC. Hurst received suspended prison time for the three drug charges.

After failing to report, Hurst avoided arrest, but a warrant was issued, and he was eventually arrested in December 2014.

In February 2015, Hurst’s probation was revoked, and his original 2012 suspended sentences were imposed.

He would later plead to conspiracy to commit second-degree murder in the 2014 shooting, according to filings with Iberia Parish court. On Aug. 18, 2017, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison on that charge.

Seven months later, Hurst was released on goodtime parole supervision in March 2018.

In January 2019, warrants for his arrest were issued after he failed to check in with his parole officer. In June 2019, Texas authorities discovered Hurst and arrested him. He was transported back to Louisiana, where his parole was revoked in July 2019.

In April 2021, Hurst was released to New Iberia and Livingston Parish on outstanding charges.

Hurst was wanted in Livingston Parish for seven counts of simple burglary and one count of the theft of a motor vehicle. Those charges were later dismissed, according to Livingston Parish court records.

He remained in the custody of Iberia Parish Jail and was sentenced to four years in prison for aggravated assault with a firearm and eight years for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon for an arrest back in July 2019, according to Iberia Parish court records. Several charges were dropped in a plea deal, including two more counts of aggravated assault with a firearm, one count of aggravated assault upon a dating partner and child endangerment, simple criminal property damage, telephone harassment and battery of dating partner

Additionally, in the plea deal, charges in a June 2019 arrest were dropped. Those charges included aggravated flight from an officer and illegal possession of a firearm by a felon.

The court gave Hurst credit for time served , and he was released on parole in October 2022. He would remain in good standing until July 2023, when he was arrested in Lafayette Parish and indicted on felony charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; possession of cocaine; possession of a firearm, a 9mm handgun, with obliterated serial number; possession of a weapon in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; and the misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest, according to previous reporting.

A subpoena was served successfully and arraignmentfor the Lafayette charges was scheduled for Nov. 7, 2023. It appears that Hurst did not show for his arraignment because he was summoned again for arraignment on Jan. 19, 2024. The sheriff’s office was told that Hurst did not live at the address provided.

A warrant was issued for his arrest on Feb 6, and he was summoned again on April 2, for an arraignment scheduled for May 7. The sheriff’s office again was told that Hurst did not live at the address provided.

Hurst’s location was unknown until last week when the Jeanerette marshal's office attempted to serve warrants in the 2500 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard in Jeanerette for two counts of second-degree aggravated battery and one count of home invasion, according to Jeanerette City Marshal Fernest Martin. Hurst was also wanted for armed robbery, illegal use of a weapon, attempted carjacking, domestic abuse/battery and child endangerment by strangulation in St. Mary Parish.

Multiple agencies assisted in the attempt to serve the warrants about 10 a.m. Thursday morning, including a SWAT team from the Lafayette Police Department. Hurst allegedly took two people hostage and around 4:30 p.m. shot several Lafayette SWAT officers, including Senior Cpl. Segus Jolivette. He would later succumb to his injuries.

Formal charges have not yet been issued in connection to the shooting. Currently, Hurst has a $250,000 bond for home invasion and another $250,000 bond for aggravated second-degree battery. The charges are in connection to outstanding warrants Hurst had in Iberia Parish.