FORT RITNER – Firefighters responded to the home of murder suspect Casey Brown in the 4000 block of Fort Ritner Road Wednesday.
The fire was reported at 8:15 p.m. Wednesday.
Shawswick Volunteer Fire Department Chief Bob Brown said the fire had been burning before firefighters were alerted.
“The whole house was engulfed in flames. It had been burning for a while before we were ever alerted,” Brown added. “No one was at the home. A house camper next to the house also burned.”
Firefighters from Shawswick, Marion Township, and Carr Township in Jackson County responded along with Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department deputies and Indiana State Police Troopers.
The home was destroyed.
Firefighters were on the scene until midnight and returned later in the morning with an engine and tanker to battle hotspots.
“We knew the hotspots were going to be an issue,” said Brown.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and the State Fire Marshal has been contacted to assist.
Casey Brown is facing a murder charge. He is currently being treated at the University of Louisville Hospital after a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Brown shot himself during a stand-off with officers at the Hucks in Paoli on Saturday, February 25.
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 to the head. 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 was 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 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.
At this time, Bradley Harper has not been charged.
