Homicide
Suspect and a Terre Haute Police Officer Die during Exchange of Gunfire
Vigo County—Indiana State Police Detectives and Crime Scene
Investigators are currently investigating the death of a veteran Terre Haute
Police Officer and a homicide suspect during an exchange of gunfire at an
apartment building on Linwood Street in the Garden Quarter Apartment Complex,
south side of Terre Haute, at approximately 6:32 last evening.
Preliminary
investigation revealed the Terre Haute Police Department was investigating an
early Friday afternoon homicide on south 18th Street in the city. As
their investigation progressed, information led four of their officers to a
potential suspect in the Garden Quarter Apartment. As the officers encountered
the male suspect near the front door of the two-story building, the suspect
fired upon the officers from an elevated position on the second floor. Terre
Haute Police Officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect. The veteran officer
was rushed to Terre Haute Regional Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.
A
standoff ensued, and ultimately ended at approximately 9:15 last evening, as
members of the Terre Haute Police Department SWAT team entered the apartment
building and located the suspect on the second floor hallway. The suspect
succumbed to his wounds as well.
Multiple
Police/Fire/EMS/EMA/Coroner units assisted.
The
investigation is ongoing and further information will be released as it becomes
available. Autopsies are expected tomorrow.
Questions
about the ISP investigation should be directed to Sergeant Joe Watts. Questions
about the Terre Haute homicide investigation on South 18th or the
veteran officer, should be directed to THPD PIO Ryan Adamson, 812.238.1661.
Garden
Quarter Scene pictures attached.
Under the
Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed
innocent unless and until proven guilty.
-30-
SGT. JOE WATTS
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Right is ISP CSI Sergeant Brandon Mullen photographing the scene....Left is ISP Detective First Sergeant Jason Fajt noting potential evidence....both at scene of THPD officer death. |
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