Vigo County—Just before noon Tuesday, Indiana State Police South Zone SWAT members established a residential perimeter at 2123 4th Avenue in Terre Haute. The perimeter was to secure the residence after receiving new information that a potential homicide suspect was at that residence.
At approximately 12:10 this afternoon, the male suspect ran outside from the rear of the residence, presented a threat to SWAT team members, which caused team members to engage the suspect with department firearms. The suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Investigators believe they know the identity of the suspect, but the name is being withheld until positive identification can be made and attempts to contact family members has occurred. An autopsy is expected in the coming days.
This incident stems from a homicide investigation originated by the Terre Haute Police Department during the afternoon hours of March 5, 2018. The suspect in the homicide investigation made his way from the Putnam Street crime scene to a residence at 2214 1st Ave in Terre Haute. When THPD officers arrived at the 2214 1st Avenue address, the suspect immediately engaged the officers with multiple gunshots. THPD SWAT was immediately called to the scene to attempt to apprehend the suspect.
It is believed the suspect eluded officers before midnight in the cover of darkness and made his way from the 1st Avenue home to the 4th Avenue residence, where he was found by ISP around noon today.
Indiana State Police Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators are conducting two investigation simultaneously. One involving the possible shooting and wounding of the suspect by THPD last evening and the death of the suspect today. Once the two investigations are complete, all information will be turned over to the Vigo County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
Assisting the Indiana State Police and Terre Haute Police Department were ISP EOD, ISP Hostage Negotiations, Vigo County Sheriff’s Office, Vigo County Coroner’s Office, Indiana State University Police officers, West Terre Haute Police officers, and the Terre Haute Fire Department.
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
