MITCHELL – A Mitchell Police officer and a Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department deputy have been shot, according to the Mitchell Police Department.
Both officers, Lawrence County Deputy Josh Rhoades and Mitchell Police Officer Christian Anderson were airlifted to an Indianapolis hospital. Both officers were alert and conscious.
Not many details have been released. Police confirm the shooting happened around 3:15 a.m. Sunday. a.m. in the 4000 block of State Road 37 at the Sinclair gas station.
Neighbors in the area reported witnessing officers make a traffic stop, and a suspect running from the vehicle firing a weapon. Neighbors said there were numerous gunshots.
Just after 8 a.m. Sunday, Indiana State Police confirmed the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.
Rhoads was placing his canine partner back into his vehicle after the dog alerted officers to possible drugs in the vehicle. Upon returning to the suspect, the suspect ran across the highway and opened fire, striking Anderson in the arm, causing the bullet to deflect into his lung. Lawrence County Deputy Rhoades was then struck by two bullets one was in the groin area.
Both officers were transported to IU Health Bedford Hospital and then flown to an Indianapolis Hospital for treatment.
Both officers are listed in serious but stable condition.
ISP Sgt. John Perrine who is also on the scene said three officers recovered narcotic drugs from the vehicle and were detaining the man when he took off and ran west across State Road 37. That’s when Perrine said the suspect pulled out a handgun firing shots at officers. The officers were hit. One officer was able to return fire, hitting the suspect and killing him.
As the suspect got across the highway he began firing shots striking the two officers.
“The officers have serious injuries but they are in stable condition,” said ISP Sgt. John Perrine. “It is a complex investigation. We still have a lot of unanswered questions. We are working on answering those questions. Crime scene investigators are still here gathering evidence.”
Details have not been released on the suspect.
Police have recovered several pieces of evidence from the scene, calling it a complex investigation.
Indiana State Road 37 at Woodville Road and Doc Hamilton Boulevard were closed for several hours while the incident was being investigated.
The suspect vehicle was towed from the scene at around 10:30 a.m.
Mitchell Police Chief Mike Hardman said, “We appreciate the quick response from other agencies and medical responders.”
Motorists and residents are asked to avoid the area.
This story will be updated as further details and information are released.
