Man Facing Attempted Murder Charges After Trying to Run Over SPD Officer

Shortly before 5:00pm on Wednesday, a Slidell Police officer attempted to stop a U-Haul truck at the Murphy Oil gas station (39100 Natchez Drive), which was reported as stolen by the New Orleans Police Department.

As the officer was ordering the occupants out of the truck, 19-year-old, Aliyah Sharrieff (New Orleans, LA) exited the passenger of the vehicle, and the driver fled the scene. The driver, identified as 32-year-old, Ricky Cooper (New Orleans, LA), circled back around the parking lot and accelerated back towards the officer in an attempt to run him over.

Aliyah Sharrieff Ricky Cooper

Fearing for his life, the officer fired two rounds into the front of the U-haul truck in an attempt to stop Cooper. Cooper continued to drive forward, and narrowly missed striking both the officer and Sharrieff. Cooper then fled the scene again, but this time went behind the nearby Walmart (39142 Natchez Drive). The U-Haul was blocked in by other officers responding to the scene, at which time, Cooper jumped out and fled on foot. After a brief foot chase, Cooper was taken into custody without incident.

Copper is now facing charges of Attempted Murder of a Peace Officer, Resisting an Officer, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, and had an outstanding warrant for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle out of New Orleans. Sharrieff is being charged with Resisting an Officer and Possession of a Stolen Vehicle.

The officer who fired his weapon is being placed on administrative duty pending the final outcome of the investigation. Investigators are still interviewing witnesses, gathering surveillance video, and obtaining cell phone video from individuals at the scene.

Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal said, “Every day a police officer puts on their uniform, they put their life on the line. Our officer nearly lost his life trying to protect and serve the citizens of this community. This was a senseless act of violence over a stolen U-Haul truck.”

Cooper was treated for minor injuries at the scene due to being cut by glass from the shattered windshield of the U-Haul truck.