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Gunfire erupted after they came upon car thieves in Barataria shortly after midnight.

Around 12:20 a.m., officers on mobile patrol observed a Nissan B15 parked along the street. Two men dressed in dark hoodies were crouched near the right rear passenger door, apparently attempting to tamper with the vehicle.

When the officers called out to the men, one shouted, prompting the officers to take cover. An explosion and an orange flash were reportedly seen from the suspects’ direction.