Baton Rouge - In an attempt to crack down on "car-jacking", a new Louisiana law took effect yesterday which allows drivers fearful for their lives to shoot their attackers.
The "shoot-the-car-jacker" law, approved by the state legislature earlier this summer, is a companion to the 1993 "shoot-the-burglar" law that allowed residents to open fire when they believe themselves to be in danger from an intruder.
"I think it will serve as a deterrent - it's a strong message - to people out there when they know their victims can justifiably defend themselves," police lieutenant Mike Edmondson said.
However, just hours after the law was due to take effect, one teenager was killed and another wounded by two men who stole their car.
St Martin Parish Sheriff's Office captain Newman Braud said two Abbeville teenagers were shoved from their car and shot by two men they had picked up earlier. Damian Durke (19) died at the scene, he said. Kelso Montgomery (18) managed to walk to a nearby home to summon police after the two car-jackers drove off.
"That's about all we're going to say right now," Capt Braud said.