NEW IBERIA, La. — A wave of grief and uncertainty has swept through the New Iberia community following a fatal police-involved shooting that left 30-year-old Justin Rhine dead on Wednesday evening. The incident occurred around 8 p.m. near the intersection of Ann Street and Buckeye Street, a typically quiet residential area now at the center of a growing state investigation.

According to initial reports, local law enforcement responded to a situation involving Rhine, though the specific circumstances leading up to the shooting remain unclear. Shortly after the incident, Louisiana State Police (LSP) assumed control of the investigation, which is standard protocol in officer-involved shootings in Louisiana. The LSP Bureau of Investigations is now working to piece together a full timeline of events, interviewing witnesses, collecting body camera footage, and examining forensic evidence from the scene.

Authorities have yet to release many details about what prompted the encounter or whether Rhine was armed at the time. Eyewitnesses from the neighborhood report hearing several gunshots, followed by a heavy police presence and emergency medical responders. One resident, who asked to remain anonymous, described seeing officers perform CPR on Rhine before he was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

“This is a tragedy. Our community is in pain, and we are demanding transparency,” said local activist and community leader Darnell Broussard. “We need to know what happened and why it ended in the loss of a young man’s life.”

In the hours following the shooting, members of the community gathered near the scene, lighting candles and placing flowers to honor Rhine’s memory. Social media has also been flooded with messages of condolences and calls for justice under the hashtag #JusticeForJustin. Friends and family describe Rhine as a father, a son, and a friend who was striving to turn his life around.

The New Iberia Police Department has referred all questions to the Louisiana State Police, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. “We are cooperating fully with state investigators,” said a brief statement released by the department Thursday morning. “We ask for patience as the facts are gathered and evaluated.”

This incident comes amid ongoing national scrutiny over police use of force, especially in cases involving Black and marginalized communities. Civil rights organizations, including the ACLU of Louisiana, have already signaled their intent to monitor the investigation closely and ensure accountability if any wrongdoing is uncovered.

As the investigation progresses, the State Police are expected to release further updates, including findings from the preliminary autopsy and results of any ballistic or toxicology testing. Body camera footage, if available, could prove crucial in understanding the dynamics of the encounter and determining whether departmental policies were followed.

In the meantime, the New Iberia community is left to mourn and grapple with yet another instance of fatal police violence. A vigil is scheduled for Saturday evening at a local park, where family members and supporters are expected to gather in remembrance of Justin Rhine and to call for justice and transparency.

The tragedy has once again underscored the fragile relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve. For many in New Iberia, the shooting has reignited painful memories of past incidents and highlighted the urgent need for reform, oversight, and accountability in policing practices across the state.

As Louisiana State Police continue their investigation, all eyes will be on the official findings—and whether they lead to clarity, accountability, and ultimately, healing for a community in crisis.

Would you like this formatted as a press release, news article, or community statement?

Source