Victim, suspect reportedly shot

Clark County

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December 25, 2009

Police say suspect did not comply, but didn't have weapon on him

STAFF REPORTS The News and Tribune Fri Dec 25, 2009, 05:32 PM EST

Jeffersonville police say a carjacking victim was shot in the head Thursday afternoon and police later apprehended a suspect in the alleged crime after shooting a man who continued to flee from them.

A report of a man down at Market and Walnut streets just before 11 a.m., according to Todd Hollis, Jeffersonville Police Department Detective. When police arrived, they found a Hispanic male on the ground with a gunshot wound to his head. He was listed Thursday afternoon as being in serious condition in University Hospital.

A vehicle description was called to police, and an officer spotted a van matching that description. The vehicle was found abandoned but still running near Eighth and Mechanic streets, and the vehicle belonged to the victim who was found on the ground, Hollis said.

Witnesses saw a black male and black female fleeing from the vehicle, and police then received a call from 816 Indiana Ave. The two suspects had been seen kneeling down behind a third-flood window in a common hallway. Hollis said they were watching police from the window.

The female suspect then complied with police orders and was arrested. The male suspect continued to flee and was shot after he failed to show his hands during a foot pursuit, Hollis said.

He was shot in the upper leg or buttocks area, Hollis said. He was treated at University Hospital but was expected to be released Thursday night.

“We recovered two weapons, but we did not find any weapons on his person at the time [he was shot],” Hollis said.

A witness says she saw the end of the event, which stretched across at least three crime scenes.

According to Pamela Nolin, who lives at 808 Indiana Ave., a man ran from police toward a hill behind 819 and 821 Indiana Avenue. She said she heard gunshots and saw a stocky, young black male limping and in handcuffs. She said the man was placed on a stretcher by police.

“I just happened to be looking outside at the right time,” she said. “He was just nonchalantly walking across the street and then took off running when he saw the police. They came from everywhere.”

Police believe it was likely a carjacking because the suspects fled in the victim’s vehicle.

“We believe they [the victim and suspects] had just recently met,” Hollis said.

Police have not released the name of the officer who fired shots, Hollis said he has been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation, which is standard procedure when officers fire shots.