NEW IBERIA, La. (KLFY) -- A man who shot at police after a high-speed chase and threatened a court official in Vermilion Parish in 2020 has been sentenced for his crime, prosecutors said.

Ryan Hargrave will spend the next 35 years in prison at hard labor after pleading no contest in June to two counts of attempted first degree murder and three counts of aggravated assault on a peace officer.

Prosecutors said Hargrave followed the Delcambre Mayor’s Court Magistrate from his office, apparently upset over a traffic matter, on June 16, 2020 and forced the magistrate to stop his vehicle. Hargrave, who was wearing body armor, got out of his vehicle and pointed a gun at the magistrate.

The Abbeville City Marshal happened to witness the incident and intervened, authorities said. Hargrave pointed his gun at the City Marshal and fled.

A multi-parish vehicle pursuit ensued, during which Hargrave called 911 and told communications officers he would not go to jail alive.

Eventually, the pursuit ended at Hargrave’s home in New Iberia. Hargrave again pointed a gun at a New Iberia Police officer, who fired at Hargrave. Hargrave got out of his vehicle and shot at several New Iberia Police officers and Iberia Parish Sheriff’s deputies, who returned fire.

Hargrave sustained several non-life threatening injuries during the confrontation and received medical treatment after he was taken into custody.

16th Judicial District Court Judge Vincent Borne sentenced Hargrave Monday to thirty-five years at hard labor for each count of attempted first degree murder and ten years at hard labor for each count of aggravated assault on a peace officer, all to run concurrently.

“Mr. Hargrave’s reckless behavior endangered not only the public but also the law enforcement officers who apprehended him," District Attorney Bo Duhé said. "Law enforcement encounters such dangerous and life-threatening situations such as this one far more often than they should. As always, I appreciate the courage and professionalism shown by our law enforcement partners in responding to this dangerous incident.”

Assistant District Attorney Ashley Hammons prosecuted the case.

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