New Albany police officer shot by suspect

NEW ALBANY, Ind. (WISH) — A New Albany police officer was shot by a suspect just before 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, according to Indiana State Police Sgt. Carey Huls.

Indiana State Police said in a release made Tuesday night that a female reported a shooting in the 400 block of Green Street in New Albany. While no one was injured, police began searching for Barry Sowders, 29, of New Albany, concerning the shooting incident.

Around 11:30 a.m., police located a car matching Sowders’ in the 1400 block of Grant Street, half a mile away from where the shooting was reported.

Sowders exited the car when officers approached him. Sowders then fled on foot. The suspect then opened fire on the officers, striking Corporal Andrew Byrne.

The officers then returned fire, shooting Sowders. Detectives say Sowders continued to run and fired at officers again before evading officers. Police established a perimeter around the area to search for Sowders.

ISP and Louisville Metro Police Department joined the search with use a helicopter. Around 12:30 p.m., a group of officers found Sowders hiding under the front porch of a residence close to the shooting.

Both Sowders and Byrne did not receive life-threatening injuries, Huls said. They were both taken to University Hospital in Louisville for treatment. Byrne was last said to be in good condition.

The City of New Albany Government posted on Facebook about the arrest Tuesday afternoon. The city also posted a statement from the mayor on the shooting on Facebook.

Sowders was released from the hospital and was being held at Jefferson County Metro Corrections in Louisville while he awaits extradition to Indiana.

Sowders faces charges for three counts of attempted murder and resisting law enforcement.