VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — One person was pronounced dead at the scene in the area of E. Curry Dr. & S. Carlisle St. after local law enforcement responded to and was involved in an incident with a suicidal individual.
According to a release from Indiana State Police the male subject has been identified as James Dockery, 45, of Terre Haute, Indiana.
“At approximately 4:40 this afternoon, Vigo County Sheriff’s Department had received information of a male individual who had suicidal tendencies, upon receiving that phone call, the Vigo County Sheriff’s Department had dispatched a deputy to the location,” Indiana State Police Sgt. Matt Ames reported.
“An off-duty deputy knew who the individual was, and arrived as an off-duty deputy. Upon his arrival in an off-duty vehicle, he knew the individual, at that time the individual started displaying handguns and a long-barrel rifle towards the off-duty deputy. An on-duty deputy arrived at the scene, and upon his arrival at the scene, a rifle was handed to the off-duty deputy who was taking cover behind a side-by-side,” stated Ames.
Ames also stated, “At that time, the individual, who was having mental issues, displayed a handgun and directed that, directly toward both the deputies. At that time, one shot was fired. Upon firing that one shot, the individual was struck, the deputies then administered first-aid, but unfortunately, the individual was deceased from the gunshot wound they received.”
The release also confirmed the off-duty deputy involved in this incident is Deputy Dayton Huebner. Deputy Huebner has ten years of service. According to the release, he has been placed on administrative leave, which is customary in officer-involved shootings. The on-duty deputy has been identified as Sergeant Chris Hawkins. Sergeant Hawkins has six years of service.
This is an active Indiana State Police investigation with Vigo County Prosecutor’s Office and the Vigo County Coroner’s Office assisting. The release states the investigation is being conducted by Indiana State Police detectives, Sergeant Michael Featherling, Don Curtis, Jason Schoffstall, and Ryan Winters, with the assistance of CSI Sergeant Branden Mullen, and CSI Sergeant Tim Rader of the Putnamville State Police Post.
Vigo County Sheriff’s representatives, Indiana State Police, Terre Haute Police Department, and the Honey Creek Fire Department responded to the area.
