BATON ROUGE – A single Baton Rouge Police officer opened fire on a drug sting suspect after the suspect tried to run over another police officer, beginning a chain of events that left a 12-year-old dead Wednesday evening.

Information was revealed to WBRZ and the station's Investigative Unit in an exclusive conversation where reporters agreed not to reveal the source's name. However, the source has extensive knowledge of the operation and the situation that unfolded Wednesday on O'Neal and Old Hammond Highway.

Officers were investigating a drug case involving Joshual Hilton, 32, of Baton Rouge, and had him surrounded when he hit the gas on the pickup he was driving. He drove the truck into an officer who landed on the hood. As the officer held on, another officer fired his duty weapon into the truck, striking Hilton in the back.

After the shooting, Hilton drove down O'Neal and onto Old Hammond where he's accused of running over Samuel Lee, a young boy walking home. Lee died at the scene, near his family's residence at the corner of Gloria Drive and Old Hammond.

No officers were injured in the situation, police previously confirmed. Investigators would not confirm the information provided to WBRZ by the source.  A state spokesperson added, State Police investigators have not spoken with the city officers involved. 

The source also said Hilton was driving at a high rate of speed as he tried to evade authorities, who were not close behind since officers stopped to check on the officer who had been hit before pursuing Hilton.

The source said Hilton tossed drugs out the window as he fled the original scene where officers initially encountered him.

Due to the fact that a Baton Rouge Police officer fired a weapon, State Police have now taken over the investigation.

Hilton was booked into jail after being released from the hospital.  Friday, additional charges were added related to the attempt at trying to run over the officer.  Click HERE to read more about the case and the child's death.

Click HERE to read more about the 12-year-old's life and his family's interview with WBRZ.

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