Holly MatkinBaton Rouge, LA – Baton Rouge Police Department (BRPD) Lieutenant Glenn Dale Hutto was murdered in the line of duty on Sunday afternoon while searching for a homicide suspect.
Lt. Hutto and BRPD Officer Derrick Maglone were responding to tips regarding Ronnie Kato, who was wanted in connection with a domestic violence homicide that occurred earlier in the morning, WBRZ reported.
The search for Kato took the officers to a residence on Conrad Drive at approximately 12:30 p.m., according to The Advocate.
While they were checking the area, Kato opened fire, hitting both officers.
He used an “assault-style rifle” during the attack, which was the same weapon he used to kill his girlfriend’s 58-year-old stepfather, Curtis Richardson, earlier that morning, WBRZ reported.
According to court records, Kato stood over the wounded lieutenant in his final moments before shooting him at close range, The Advocate reported.
After shooting the officers, Kato barricaded himself inside a home on Conrad Drive, kicking off a four-hour standoff.
The gunman also opened fire on police during the standoff, WBRZ reported.
Kato ultimately surrendered at the behest of police negotiators, and was taken into custody.
According to investigators, Kato’s girlfriend told police in 2017 that he had threatened to “Gavin Long” any law enforcement officers if she ever tried to call them, WBRZ reported.
In 2016, Long fatally shot BRPD Officer Montrell Jackson, BRPD Officer Matthew Gerald, and East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Deputy Brad Garafola, according to CNN.
He also wounded BRPD Officer Bruce Simmons, BRPD Officer Chad Montgomery, and East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Deputy Nick Tullier.
Long, 29, was killed by additional officers after an intense gun battle, CNN reported.
The BRPD is handling the ongoing investigation into Kato’s attack on Lt. Hutto and Officer Maglone.
East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore said he plans to seek the death penalty in the case against Kato, WBRZ reported.
Officer Maglone, a seven-year veteran-of-the-force, remained hospitalized in grave condition as of Monday evening.
Lt. Hutto, 45, succumbed to his wounds at the scene, according to The Advocate.
He devoted 24 years of his life to his law enforcement career, 21 years of which he spent serving the BRPD, KALB reported.
He was posthumously promoted from the rank of sergeant to lieutenant, according to WAFB.
“As we mourn this tragedy, let us reinforce that violence in our community, and particularly violence against those who serve and protect, is unacceptable,” Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston Broome said, according to WBRZ.” During this stressful time, both in our community and across the globe, it is imperative that we join together now more than ever.”
Sgt. Hutto’s body was escorted from the coroner’s office in North Baton Rouge to a funeral home by a procession of law enforcement officers on Tuesday, KALB reported.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Baton Rouge Police Department Lieutenant Glenn Dale Hutto, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Lieutenant Glenn Dale Hutto, your life mattered.