ISP: 2 police officers shot, suspect dead in Lawrence County
MITCHELL, Ind. (WISH) — Two police officers were stable with serious injuries and a suspect was dead after a Sunday police shooting during a traffic stop in Lawrence County, Indiana State Police say.
During the stop about 3:15 a.m. Sunday in the 4800 block of State Road 37, a police dog indicated illegal narcotics were in the vehicle, said Sgt. John Perrine of the state police. The male driver, the only person in the vehicle, fled across the street and later pulled out a handgun, and fired, hitting both officers. One of the two officers returned fire, injuring the driver. Other officers on the scene provided care until medics arrived, but the driver later died in the ambulance.
Both officers were later identified as Lawrence County Sheriff’s Deputy Joshua Rhoades, who suffered two gunshot wounds, and Mitchell Police Officer Christian Anderson, who suffered a single gunshot wound. Both were first transported by ambulance to IU Bedford Hospital and then transferred by helicopter to IU Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. Rhoades has since been released from the hospital, but Anderson remains stable, state police say.
Anthony Richmond, 29, of West Baden Springs, Indiana was identified as the suspect who died.
Preliminary investigation revealed Richmond fired several rounds at the officers while they were attempting to apprehend him after he fled the original location of the traffic stop, police say.
The incident was captured on the officers’ body cameras and is being reviewed by investigators.
“This tragic incident underscores the dangers that law enforcement officers face each day, even in our beloved Lawrence County. I am extremely proud of the actions and response by officers from my office as well as our law enforcement and first responder partners. I am very thankful Deputy Rhoades and Officer Anderson will make full recoveries, and I am mindful that a family is mourning the loss of a loved one. The lives of many people were affected by a senseless criminal act. Thank you to our brave officers for their dedication and courage.”
Lawrence County Sheriff Greg Day
The Indiana State Police is the lead investigating agency for this incident, any information about this case will be released from the Indiana State Police or the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office, according to a release.
