Video footage from the night Opelousas Police Department Chief Graig "Twin" LeBlanc and his wife Crystal LeBlanc were shot shows the chief and two other officers taking steps to cover up the crime, the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office said.
The sheriff's office shared details of the video after OPD Public Information Officer Tyrone Abrams and Chief LeBlanc turned themselves over to law enforcement on Tuesday and Monday respectively.
LeBlanc, 45, is facing felony charges of obstruction of justice, malfeasance in office and failure to seek assistance. Abrams, 49, was arrested on principal to obstruction of justice and malfeasance in office charges.
The charges stem from a Dec. 22 incident at the home of Opelousas Police Department Officer Savannah Butler, who is accused of shooting the chief and his wife, Crystal LeBlanc. Butler was arrested in connection with the shooting on Jan. 1.
Video footage obtained by the sheriff's office reportedly showed that after being shot, Crystal LeBlanc attempted to get LeBlanc into her car to seek medical attention after Butler shot the two, the sheriff's office said.
The video footage was not immediately provided to media.
Butler pulled LeBlanc away from the car and they went back into her house, leaving his wife behind, according to the sheriff's office. Crystal LeBlanc then walked back to the home and began knocking on the door.
LeBlanc is heard telling his wife to not call anyone about the shooting, despite them both suffering from gunshot wounds, the sheriff's office said.
"Knowing that he and Crystal suffered serious bodily injuries, at no time did Chief Leblanc give assistance to Crystal nor did he seek to contact law enforcement or report the need for medical assistance," the sheriff's office said in a statement.
"As a law enforcement officer, Chief Leblanc failed to perform his duty and subjected Crystal to the deprivation of her right to seek immediate medical attention, knowing that she had a serious bodily injury."
Later, Butler returned home after bringing LeBlanc to the hospital. The sheriff's office did not say how Crystal LeBlanc was taken to the hospital.
Abrams, the OPD public information officer, arrived at Butler's home shortly after, LPSO said. Butler then began cleaning up evidence of blood left at the scene while Abrams stood by. He was at the home for almost an hour, according to the sheriff's office.
"Abrams had knowledge that removal of the blood evidence would affect an actual present or future criminal proceeding," the sheriff's office said. "Abrams failed to perform his duty to prevent or stop Butler from altering, removing, and destroying blood evidence at a crime scene."
The St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office began an investigation shortly after the shooting.
“At the beginning of this case, I promised you that I, nor my office, would let politics or anything else influence this investigation," Sheriff Bobby Guidroz said in a statement.
"When elected to office, I made a promise to be 'committed to a higher standard' in all aspects of law enforcement. My office conducted a transparent, fair, and impartial investigation that is expected by the public."
The sheriff's office's release of the details of the video and charges against Chief LeBlanc and Abrams are the latest developments in the shooting.
Butler was the first arrested in the case on two counts of negligent injury, one count of illegal discharge of a firearm and obstruction of justice. She was placed on paid leave by the Opelousas City Council on Jan. 9, pending the results of the investigation.
LeBlanc admitted to infidelity in a public statement Jan. 2. The story gained attention from national media and LeBlanc responded to calls for his resignation with a promise to review his actions and gain the public's trust back.
Three weeks after the public statement, a group of Opelousas citizens requested a recall for LeBlanc citing the chief's actions, violating a policy against having sexual relations with direct subordinates and the department's inability to adequately tackle gun violence under his leadership as the reasons for losing faith in him.
The investigation has concluded, the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office said.
It's unclear what next steps might be taken. A recall petition is currently underway, according to Rachel Reed, the petition's organizer. At least 3,700 signatures are required for a recall election.
Want to help? The Acadiana Advocate has partnered with Report for America to fund this reporter position to cover rural areas and news deserts. Stephen Marcantel was hired for that position. Report for America covers part of his salary; in order to fund his continued reporting, we need donations from readers like you. Donate here