The Situation that Unfolded
The incident started when three Lawrenceburg police officers approached a man on the fourth floor in the hallway. They were alerted to the incident at around 1 a.m.
They approached him after the suspect was allegedly holding a knife and chasing and threatening a woman around the hotel. He also threatened a man with that same knife before police arrived.
According to police, the man had a handgun and refused to put it down despite police warning him several times.
The suspect then shot at police, and the officers and he shot at one another.
The man, who remains unnamed, was struck at least once and died at the scene.
The suspect also reportedly fired shots before police arrived.
Following the incident, the officers were placed on administrative leave per their routine policies and procedures. This happens whenever there’s an incident involving the police firing their weapons.
Shooting Under Investigation
As mentioned, the officers were placed on administrative leave, and an investigation is underway to determine whether deadly force was necessary.
“The investigation is ongoing,” Indiana State Police Sgt. Stephen Wheeles said on Saturday.
“At the conclusion of the investigation, the case will be presented to the Dearborn County Prosecutor’s Office for review…The identity of the involved officers is being withheld at this time. They are all being placed on administrative leave as part of normal Lawrenceburg Police Department protocols.”
No officers were injured in the incident.
The suspect will underdog an autopsy to confirm his identity and the cause of death.
“His identity is being withheld pending proper identification being made by the Dearborn County Coroner’s Office and notification of the next of kin,” Wheeles added.
It’s unclear why the man was chasing the woman, as police haven’t released any details.
Guests In the Hotel Placed Elsewhere
Following the incident, police checked on hotel guests to ensure everyone was OK.
From there, employees relocated guests to other parts of the hotel.
No other injuries were reported.