Lafayette officer in serious condition after being shot

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) – A Lafayette police officer is in serious condition after being shot in the back Tuesday morning, Lafayette police said.

It happened about 10:50 a.m. in the 800 block of North Ninth Street between Union and Salem streets.

According to the Lafayette Police Department, officers were responding to a complaint of criminal mischief in an apartment. Police said while officers were inside, information was received about a person wanted on a warrant at the home.

Police said while officers were inside the apartment, a large, aggressive dog broke free of its cage and charged the officers. As the officers began to flee the apartment, a shot was fired from one of the officer’s guns, said a news release issued late Tuesday afternoon. The bullet traveled through the apartment door and struck Officer Lane Butler in the back. Butler was wearing a protective vest, but the bullet struck above the protected area. She has been on the police force for three years.

Police said that there was no threat to the public.

“It’s a very difficult day for the Lafayette Police Department,” said Lt. Brian Phillips. “One of our own was injured today.”

The release said an investigation of the incident is expected to be done by Friday, which police are planning a news conference. They plan to release body camera footage from the officers at that news conference. 

Flannelly was with Butler and her family at a local hospital, Phillips said.