Vigo County Prosecutor’s Office ruling police action shooting justified

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WISH) – After an investigation into a police action shooting on Feb. 25, the Vigo County Prosecutor’s Office ruled the shooting of the suspect as justified.

On Feb. 25 multiple law enforcement agencies were involved in a short pursuit with a suspect later identified as Alexander Long.

Long was wanted on a warrant that charged him with two counts of rape, one count of criminal confinement and one count of domestic battery.

Officers located the suspect in Terre Haute, when he then fled the area in a vehicle. When attempting to box in Long’s vehicle with police vehicles, Long began ramming police vehicles.

“Officers attempted to gain access to the vehicle while demanding the suspect stop attempting to flee,” Indiana State Police Sgt. Joe Watts stated in a press release.

Terre Haute Officer Kurt Brinegar witnessed the suspect pulling his hand from his coat and shot the suspect.

The Vigo County coroner later confirmed after an autopsy that Alexander Long died of a single gunshot wound to the chest.

ISP conducted an investigation into the shooting, stating no weapon was found in Long’s vehicle.

It was discovered through an interview with the owner of the vehicle, that she had seen a firearm belonging to Long in the trunk days prior. Ammunition was also found inside the car.

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