HOWARD COUNTY, Ind. — A 27-year-old Sheriff's Deputy has died after he was shot overnight while serving a warrant in a small town north of Indianapolis.
Deputy Carl Koontz, a 2 year, 8 month veteran of the department and Sgt. Jordan Buckley, 35, a 9-year veteran of the force were shot in Russiaville, Ind. early Sunday morning.
Both officers were taken to the hospital where Koontz later died. Howard County Sheriff Steve Rogers said he was the father of an 8-month-old.
With an extremely heavy heart I'm sorry to report Deputy Carl Koontz has succumbed to his wounds. #Prayers pic.twitter.com/KSLqd1yDyJ
— Sgt. John Perrine (@ISPIndianapolis) March 20, 2016
Sgt. Buckley is in stable condition.
The incident started around 12:30 a.m. when several Howard Co. sheriff's deputies went to deliver an outstanding warrant out of neighboring Clinton County for possession of a syringe.
The sheriff's department said the suspect didn’t respond when deputies knocked on the door – he simply started shooting, hitting two officers.
"When officers knocked on the door on the residence by announcing their presence, they received no response. Upon entering, the officers were confronted by gunfire, and the officers returned fire," Howard County Sheriff Steve Rogers said.
"A Russiaville officer and other deputies were able to extract the wounded officer from the residence and provide first aid."
RIGHT NOW: A major police presence where two officers were shot earlier tonight in Howard Co. (Via @LAthertonPhoto) pic.twitter.com/SFYwmpd5FE
— Paris Lewbel (@PLewbel) March 20, 2016
Howard Co. Sheriff asks prayers for deputies injured in shooting. One in serious, but stable; the other in critical. Updates throughout day.
— Emily A. Pace (@emilyapace) March 20, 2016
Please keep our two Sheriff Deputies and their families in your prayers today. Our Deputies put their lives on the line for us everyday.
— Howard County IN (@howardcountygov) March 20, 2016
A SWAT team responded to the scene and attempted to communicate with the suspect for two hours before entering the home, where they found the suspect dead.
The suspect's identity wasn't released.
"I'm pulling into my lot and the cop says, 'Get out now,' so I follow suit," said Jamie Phillips, who lives near the shooting scene.
"It's scary, it is. You never know, you never know. And here I'm talking to this guy two weeks ago, waving at him," she said.
Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with Sgt. Jordan Buckley and Deputy Carl Koontz, both shot while serving a warrant early this morning
— Sgt. John Perrine (@ISPIndianapolis) March 20, 2016
Prayers are with two Howard County Sheriff's Deputies and their families. Both were shot & currently being treated. Suspect is deceased.
— Sgt. Todd Ringle (@ISPEvansville) March 20, 2016
Multiple agencies are assisting the Howard County Sheriff's Office in the investigation. The area around the crime scene has been rendered safe and there is no immediate threat to residents.
