LAPLACE — A LaPlace man died following a struggle with St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff Office deputies this morning, authorities said.

Trooper Evan Harrell of the Louisiana State Police said St. John deputies responded to a residence at 243 Belle Terre Blvd. in LaPlace at 1:54 a.m. today following a disturbance report.

Harrell said residents identified Ennis Labaux, 37, as the reason for the call. When deputies questioned Labaux, the report indicates, he became combative and assaulted a deputy.

A struggle ensued, and Labaux was eventually put in handcuffs.

According to Harrell, Labaux continued to struggle with deputies after being handcuffed and would not follow deputies’ commands. Deputies tried to secure Labaux’s legs when he stopped breathing, Harrell said, adding deputies immediately started performing CPR before EMS personnel arrived.

Labaux was transferred to River Parishes Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

A deputy was also taken to the hospital as a result of the altercation.

Harrell said Louisiana State Police is conducting the investigation, adding Labaux’s cause of death will be determined by an autopsy.

According to Harrell, family members told authorities Labaux had threatened members of his family late Friday night/early Saturday morning and at one point was disarmed by a member of his family before deputies arrived on the scene.

When reached this morning for comment, a St. John Sheriff’s Office spokesperson deferred comment to the state police.