Indiana: Southport officer struck by car at hospital; suspects in custody
Two men in custody are suspected of ramming their car into a Southport Police officer Wednesday outside of IU Health Methodist Hospital. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers say at 10:45 a.m. the part-time Southport officer, working off-duty for the hospital, noticed a robbery suspect in a maroon car in the parking lot. Police say as he approached the man with a hospital security team, the driver suddenly sped off, striking the Southport officer. The officer then opened fire, shooting toward the car as it left.
On the steps of the emergency room, the Southport officer received immediate care for hip and leg injuries. “[He’s] still stable, believed to be non-life-threatening injuries,” said IMPD Officer Jim Gillespie. “So we continue to send out our thoughts and prayers to the Southport PD family once again for that officer for a quick recovery.”
Southport Police Chief Tom Vaughn arrived on scene around 11:30 a.m., and a radio broadcast went out to IMPD officers with a description of the suspect’s car. Officers said it was spotted near 46th Street and Arlington Avenue.
“As officers attempted to catch up to that vehicle, it attempted to pull into a driveway very quickly,” said Chad Knecht, IMPD deputy chief of operations. “It struck a tree, and occupants then fled on foot. Officers quickly set up a perimeter and K-9 (police dog) and they were able to apprehend both suspects from that vehicle.”
Knecht said the first suspect was hit by a car while fleeing and taken into custody, and the second was taken down by a police dog some time later.
On Tuesday night, the suspects were identified as 33-year-old Brandon Hayworth and 29-year-old Christopher Johnson. A news release from IMPD said they were arrested for outstanding, unrelated warrants. Hayworth and Johnson will later be transported to the Arrestee Processing Center for processing.
Back at the hospital, thoughts and prayers go out to the injured Southport officer, who has yet to be identified by officials. Gillespie said the officer is a four-year member of the department and the captain of investigations. Saturday, Southport officers buried Lt. Aaron Allan as the department’s first line-of-duty death.
“We’re going to continue to come out no matter what because we’re here to serve and protect the community,” Gillespie said. “No one is going harass us or try to scare us into not doing our job. We’re going to be here for the community in Indianapolis and Southport for as long as they need us.”
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