Suspected shooter of Boone County deputy out of hospital, behind bars
LEBANON, Ind. (WISH) — Anthony Baumgardt, the man police say shot and mortally wounded Boone County Sheriff’s Deputy Jacob Pickett, was transferred from St. Vincent Hospital to Boone County Jail on Saturday afternoon.
Boone County Sheriff Mike Nielsen personally arrested Baumgardt and booked him into jail, according to a release from the Boone County Sheriff’s Office.
Baumgardt was transferred to Hamilton County Jail as around 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
Online records show preliminary charges against Baumgardt include murder, resisting law enforcement, carrying a handgun without a license, possession of marijuana and possession of methamphetamine.
The Boone County Sheriff’s Office said John Baldwin Sr. was questioned and released.
John Baldwin Jr. was also listed as held in the Boone County Jail with a note to “Hold to Other Co(unty).” Baldwin Jr. was ordered to stop and comply with authorities on Friday morning in Lebanon but instead got into a car and drove away with his father, 55-year-old John Baldwin Sr., and 21-year-old Anthony Baumgardt.
That turned into a police pursuit, which Pickett joined to assist Lebanon police. After Baldwin Sr. and Baumgardt bailed from the car and ran, Pickett continued the pursuit on foot and ran after Baumgardt.
While chasing him, Pickett rounded a corner. That’s when state police say Baumgardt shot Pickett in the head.
On Friday night, Boone County Sheriff Mike Nielsen announced that Pickett would not survive his injuries and that his organs would be donated after being shot Friday morning.
Early Monday morning, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office posted a message to social media say Deputy Jacob Pickett had passed away.
The Boone County Sheriff’s Office released a statement on Saturday night regarding Baumgardt’s arrest and the status of Pickett, who remained at St. Vincent as the organ donation process continued:
Currently the medical staff at St. Vincent Hospital is sustaining his body functions so that Jake can continue to give life to others even after his death. This process takes time, and we pray for peace for Jake and his family.
Sheriff Nielsen met with Jen, Jacob’s wife, and the FOP Memorial Team to talk about arrangements for the service and burial. We are currently in the process of working side by side with the Indiana Sheriff’s Association, the Indiana State Fraternal Order of Police Memorial Team and many others to make sure that Jake is honored and recognized for the hero and warrior that he is. This process also takes time. As soon the details are arranged we will immediately notify everyone.
Today, Sheriff Nielsen also personally arrested and booked in Anthony Louis Baumgardt, DOB 10/17/1996 from Lebanon, Indiana for the following charges. Murder, Resisting Law Enforcement, Possession of Marijuana, 2 counts of Possession of Methamphetamine and Carrying a handgun without a license.”
Sheriff Mike Nielsen released a statement explaining the work he’s done over the last two days to plan for honoring Pickett and to arrange for officer wellness meetings, as well as caring for staff and Pickett’s wife and family. Nielsen said he would be releasing an open letter to staff and citizens on Saturday night with more information.
Please accept my apologies for not being more prompt on my media releases and social media posts. I hope everyone can understand that my priority is taking care of my staff, Jake’s family, and Brik who have witnessed or been part of the tragic events that unfolded the morning of March 2nd. Today we started pre-planning for Jake’s final arrangements, crisis intervention teams, and continual officer wellness meetings. I also created today a core team of command staff and others to assist me in planning the events for the next several days. Tonight, I will release to the public an open letter to my staff and to the citizens of this county addressing the last two days. We will begin to post media releases and social media posts daily from this point forward. I personally wish to thank everyone for the overwhelming support that you have shown for the Boone County Sheriff’s Office and for Jake. I also want to thank my fellow brothers and sisters in public safety that have come forward to assist us in our day to day operations so that we can still maintain civility in the county. Please continue to pray for strength and guidance as we face a very hard week ahead.”
