Criminal Justice

Ex-client committed suicide after breaking into law firm and firing dozens of rounds, say police

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The owner of a small Louisiana law firm says a former client broke through its security system Tuesday and “started shooting everything” inside.

The shooter is dead in the Covington incident, and partner Tim Upton told the Times-Picayune he believes the shooter committed suicide. The shooter was identified as Roderick Rist, 47, in a Times-Picayune update.

The law firm office manager was inside but reportedly was not injured. Upton said she hid while the former client was there, WWL reports.

Authorities are investigating, and the coroner’s office is at the scene. Interim Covington Police Chief Jack West told the Times-Picayune that four firearms were found, including two semi-automatic handguns, and that Rist had fired as many as 60 rounds.

Updated on July 31 with further information about the shooter and to confirm his death.

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