WBRZ - Baton Rouge

LaPLACE - Two sheriff's deputies in Louisiana have been shot to death and two other deputies were wounded in a series of shootings in St. John the Baptist Parish, west of New Orleans.

Sheriff Mike Tregre said five people were in custody in connection with the shooting. He identified the slain deputies as Brandon Nielsen, 34, and Jeremy Triche, 27.

Tregre said the shootings started outside the Valero Energy plant around 5:30 a.m. when a man walked up to Deputy Michael Boyington, who was working off-duty directing traffic, and opened fire for unknown reasons. Tregre said Boyington was taken to a nearby hospital and is expected to survive.

The sheriff said tips from the public deputies to a vehicle similar to the shooter's at a nearby trailer park. When deputies arrived they arrested one person outside the trailer, and knocked on the door. Tregre said someone answered, which is when the next shooting happened.

"Another person exited that trailer with an assault weapon and ambushed my two officers," Tregre said.

That man shot and killed Nielsen and Triche, and wounded a fourth deputy, Jason Triche. The two Triches are not believed to be related.

Tregre said two suspects were injured in the shootout that followed before they were taken into custody.

State Police are handling this investigation, and a number of sheriff's departments and other agencies are in St. John the Baptist Parish to assist.

Gov. Bobby Jindal released the following statement this morning:

"Supriya and I were saddened to hear the news this morning about this terrible act of violence. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. The men and women of our law enforcement are heroes who run towards danger, not away from it, so that we can be safe. The Louisiana State Police will be working in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies to fully investigate this incident and make sure the suspects are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

News 2 crews are on the scene and will have more details starting at noon.