Lawrence police officer indicted on battery charges after police shooting in February
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A Lawrence police officer was indicted Friday for his alleged role in a police shooting in February, according to court records.
Jonathan Clark was indicted on charges of aggravated battery, battery with a deadly weapon and battery resulting in serious bodily injury.
Clark is accused of shooting a theft suspect on Feb. 11 in the area of 56th Street and Brendon Forest Drive.
The shooting happened after a police pursuit that began on the northeast side of Lawrence, police told News 8 in February.
The Citi Trends clothing store on Pendleton Pike near Franklin Road reported a theft at the business around 2:15 p.m. The employees described a white van connected to the theft, police said at the scene.
Just minutes later, officers at 56th Street and Post Road spotted a van matching the description given and tried to stop it. The van did not stop and Lawrence officers in two patrol cars gave chase.
The pursuit ended almost 3 miles later at Brendon Forest Drive just west of Interstate 465 when police say the van tried to turn and lost control. A confrontation followed, and an officer fired two shots, hitting the suspect in the arm and lower torso. It’s not clear whether the driver or the passenger, both male, was the person who got out of the van, police said.
One of the male occupants was shot and taken to Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital with injuries that did not appear to be life-threatening. Later that evening, the man was out of surgery and in critical condition, but stable. The other man was taken into custody without incident.
Lawrence Deputy Chief of Police Gary Woodruff initially reported that officers were fired upon during the pursuit. Woodruff later said at the scene that it appeared not to be the case.
Authorities had said dash and body camera footage from the officers involved would be submitted to investigators for review.
The criminal case against Clark will proceed in Marion County Criminal Court.
Woodruff on Friday said the LPD is prohibited from discussing details about the incident. LPD Chief of Police David Hofmann assigned Clark to non-uniform administrative duty upon hearing of the indictment.
