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Roommate of man accused of killing Louisiana trooper found dead

"You're lucky -- you're going to die soon," the shooter told the officer, according to police.

By Andrew V. Pestano and Danielle Haynes
Louisiana Senior Trooper Steven Vincent, 43, died on Monday after he was shot in the head by apparent gunman Kevin Daigle, 54, after Vincent stopped to help Daigle, whose car was stuck in a ditch. Vincent determined Daigle's truck was previously reported as "reckless" before an altercation occurred. Photo courtesy of Prayers for Louisiana State Trooper Steven Vincent & family/Facebook
Louisiana Senior Trooper Steven Vincent, 43, died on Monday after he was shot in the head by apparent gunman Kevin Daigle, 54, after Vincent stopped to help Daigle, whose car was stuck in a ditch. Vincent determined Daigle's truck was previously reported as "reckless" before an altercation occurred. Photo courtesy of Prayers for Louisiana State Trooper Steven Vincent & family/Facebook

BELL CITY, La., Aug. 24 (UPI) -- The man accused of shooting to death Louisiana State Trooper Steven Vincent on Sunday may also be connected to the death of his roommate, whose body was found Monday, law enforcement said.

Vincent, 43, was shot in the head after he stopped to assist a motorist, Kevin Daigle, 54, whose vehicle was stuck in a ditch near Bell City, La. Vincent determined that the truck's license plates matched a previous report of a "reckless vehicle."

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A video recording of the event reveals Vincent talking to Daigle, who was in the car, before Daigle opened his door, pulled out a sawed-off shotgun and shot Vincent in the head, according to USA Today.

Daigle apparently stood over Vincent and taunted the trooper, according to Col. Mike Edmonson, superintendent of Louisiana State Police.

"You could hear him breathing, telling him, 'You're lucky. You're lucky -- you're going to die soon.' That's the words that came out of his mouth," Edmonson told reporters.

Daigle attempted to flee the scene but was detained by other motorists who wrestled the shotgun away from him and detained him with Vincent's handcuffs.

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Vincent, a 13-year veteran of the force, was hospitalized and listed in critical condition, but died Monday.

"I am very saddened to report that Senior Trooper Steven Vincent has passed away this morning from the gunshot wounds he suffered yesterday in conjunction with a traffic investigation," Edmonson said in a statement. "As an organization, we are heartbroken over this senseless and tragic death. Our thoughts and prayers are with his surviving wife Katherine and his son Ethan as well as his entire extended family."

Later Monday, the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office said it is working another suspected homicide case for the death of Daigle's roommate. The victim, whose name wasn't released, was found dead at his home after he didn't report to work, Sheriff Tony Mancuso said.

"We came here, we did a welfare check and we did find him deceased," Mancuso said. "We are working it as a homicide."

No other details about the man's death were released.

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