- Wednesday February 25th, 2015 :: 08:39 p.m. EST
ISP INVESTIGATES OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING IN TERRE HAUTE
Vigo County—Indiana State Police Detectives from the Putnamville Post are currently investigating an officer involved shooting in the city of Terre Haute that has left one suspect deceased.
Preliminary investigation revealed at approximately 5:26 this evening, the US Marshal’s Service Task Force, Terre Haute Police Department Street Crimes Unit, and Terre Haute Police Department patrol officers were looking for a suspect in relation to a Vigo County warrant issued on February 24, 2015. The warrant charged the suspect with two counts of rape, one count of criminal confinement, and one count of domestic battery. Officers located the suspect in the area of 25th Street and Poplar Streets driving a black 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix. The suspect spotted the officers and fled the area with officers in pursuit. The suspect traveled north to Wabash Avenue then back south to Poplar Street. Officers attempted to box in the suspect vehicle with police vehicles on Poplar Street just east of 25th Street, which at this time, included a Vigo County Sheriff’s deputy .The suspect began ramming the police vehicles with the Pontiac. Officers attempted to gain access to the vehicle while demanding the suspect stop attempting to flee. Officers broke out the side windows as the suspect refused repeated commands to stop and surrender and attempted to move forward and backwards with the Pontiac, again striking police vehicles. The side windows were broken and a Taser device was deployed with apparently no effect on the suspect. At this point, the suspect is believed to have made an aggressive threatening move with his hands inside the vehicle causing a veteran Terre Haute Police officer to discharge one round from his service weapon at the suspect. The round struck the suspect in the right torso area. Officers immediately removed the suspect from the vehicle and began first aid treatment. Terre Haute Fire/EMS Paramedics then transported the suspect to Union Hospital in Terre Haute where he was pronounced deceased shortly after 6:00p.m.
The name of the suspect will be released pending a positive identification of the deceased and notification of family. An autopsy is also pending. The autopsy will be conducted as soon as possible and the ISP investigation could take two or three weeks to complete.
Once the ISP investigation is complete, the report will be submitted to the Vigo County Prosecutor’s Office for a full review.
The name of the Terre Haute Police officer will be released at a later time.
Questions concerning the investigation should be directed to ISP Sergeant Joe Watts.
Questions about Terre Haute Police Department policy should be directed to THPD Chief John Plasse at 812-238-1661.
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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WATTS
Address/Location
Indiana State Police-Putnamville District 53-Putnamville, IN
1927 U.S. 40
Greencastle, IN 46135
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 765-653-4114
Joe Watts
Public Information Office
[email protected]
765-653-4114