PAOLI – On Saturday afternoon, around 1:00 p.m., the black Jeep was located by Paoli Police and Orange County Sheriff’s officers as it pulled into a gas station on Main Street in Paoli. Officers conducted a felony stop, ordering the two occupants out of the vehicle.
The driver, identified as Bradley Harper, surrendered and was taken into custody without incident. However, the passenger, identified as Casey Brown, refused to exit. An hours-long stand-off ensued.
Officers from Orleans, Paoli, West Baden, French Lick, Orange County, Lawrence County, and Indiana State Police responded to the scene. Negotiations were started by officers on the scene. The Indiana State Police Emergency Response Team responded. They attempted to negotiate and utilized numerous less lethal techniques, including deploying pepper balls and gas canisters into the vehicle. However, Brown, who was displaying a firearm, continued to disregard commands and refused to surrender.
Eventually, Brown used the handgun and suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Officers immediately removed Brown from the vehicle and administered life-saving measures.
Already on the scene, EMS took over treatment and transported Brown to IU Health in Paoli. He was then flown to the University of Louisville Hospital.
No firearms, other than less lethal guns, were discharged by law enforcement.
Harper was transported to Lawrence County for questioning. The Jeep is being processed for evidence by both ISP and Lawrence County. Brown is in law enforcement custody at the hospital for the offenses of murder and attempted murder.
The shooting victim has been identified as Kobe Stancombe, 21, of Bedford. The family has been notified.
The investigation is continuing, but preliminary information gathered shows that Brown, Harper, Stancombe, and a female knew each other and were all together in the Jeep when the shooting occurred.
In addition to Stancombe being shot, it is believed that multiple shots were fired at the female as she fled from the Jeep.
The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office wishes to thank all assisting agencies.
