CHARLESTOWN – On Saturday, February 24, detectives from the Indiana State Police-Sellersburg Post began investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred in rural Clark County.
At approximately 4:30 p.m., the Charlestown Police Department received a request for a welfare check on an adult male whose location was unknown. At approximately 5:00 p.m., officers located the man’s vehicle in a parking lot for the Nine Penny Branch Nature Preserve along Tunnel Mill Road in rural Clark County.
Officers from the Charlestown Police Department, Clark County Sheriff’s Department, and Indiana Conservation Officers soon entered the nature preserve to locate the man, who was believed to be armed. Shortly before 5:30 p.m., officers encountered the man on a trail at the preserve. The investigation has determined that the man was holding a handgun when the officers located him. At some point during the encounter, an officer with the Charlestown Police Department fired at least one round, striking the man.
Officers immediately rendered first aid and evacuated him from the nature preserve. The injured man was transported to the University of Louisville Hospital, where he is currently being treated for injuries believed to be non-life threatening.
No officers were injured in the incident.
The Charlestown Police Department requested the Indiana State Police to respond and lead the investigation.
The identity of the injured man, as well as the involved officers, will not be released at this time. According to the Charlestown Police Department, per department policy, the officer involved will be initially placed on administrative leave.
After the investigation, the case will be provided to the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
