Vigo County – Indiana State Police detectives continue to investigate and document the death of Terre Haute homicide suspect, 36-year-old Michael R. Reynolds, who was shot by members of the Indiana State Police SWAT team on March 6, 2018.
After initially refusing to come out of the residence, located at 2123 4th Avenue, Reynolds ultimately exited the rear of the residence. Reynolds was armed with two weapons, failed to comply with verbal commands given by state police SWAT team members, and reached for the weapons in his waistband. At that time, Reynolds was fired upon by members of the ISP SWAT team. After being shot, officers immediately assessed the suspect for medical assistance at which time EMS personnel were called to the scene. The wounds were mortal and Reynolds was pronounced deceased at the scene.
All personnel involved in the police action shooting were members of the ISP South SWAT team. They are Eric Williams, a 17 year veteran of which 12 years have been on the SWAT team; Joseph Livers, also a 17 veteran with nine years on the SWAT team; Michael Lehmkuhler, an 18 year veteran with 11 years on the SWAT team; Nicholas Yaeger, a six veteran with one year on the SWAT team; and Koty Seifert, a five year veteran with eight months of service on the SWAT team.
As is normal custom, all of the involved officers are currently on paid administrative leave pending a complete review of the circumstances in this police action shooting.
The investigation is ongoing and no other information will be released.
At the conclusion of the state police investigation all information related to the investigation will be submitted to the Office of Vigo County Prosecutor Terry Modesitt for review and action as deemed appropriate by that office. Investigations of this nature can take several weeks to complete.
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
