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Small town taking stock after shooting, standoff, fire

8 years 7 months 3 weeks ago Thursday, August 27 2015 Aug 27, 2015 August 27, 2015 1:35 PM August 27, 2015 in News
Source: WBRZ
By: Russell Jones

SUNSET - People in Sunset who were affected by a deadly shooting, stabbing, and standoff with police Wednesday started assessing the damage left by the violence.

Police said 35-year-old Harrison Lee Riley Jr. stabbed three women during an altercation at a home on St. Anna Street, killing Shameka Johnson. Police said he also killed Sunset PD Officer Henry Nelson, who responded to calls about the stabbings.

Investigators said Riley and Nelson struggled outside the home where the stabbing happened, and Riley shot the officer with his own weapon.

Law enforcement officers said Riley then drove to the nearby Sunset Mini-Mart, crashing through the store's front before he barricaded himself inside. A standoff ensued before authorities eventually forced their way to Riley and apprehended him.

On Thursday, store owner Suong Nguyen and work crews boarded up windows at the mini-mart and the wall where the car crashed through the building. Nguyen said insurance agents came out to inspect the damage, which includes fire damage from a blaze which sparked sometime after the standoff ended.

Nguyen said she initially was concerned police tear gas canisters used to try and force Riley out set off the fire. However, she said she was told Riley tried to set the fire while trapped in an office inside the store.

Fire marshals were at the store until 4 a.m. investigating, and Nguyen said she plans to wait for insurance money to come through before making any plans to rebuild or reopen.

News 2's Troy Gaulden spoke to other Sunset residents about the violent rampage and the work they're doing to recover. His story will be on News 2 at 4, 5 and 6.

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