Monticello – The Indiana State Police are investigating a police action shooting in which a 43-year-old Carroll County man was critically injured.

A preliminary investigation revealed that at approximately 10:09 a.m. a robbery was reported at the Twin Lakes Coin-op Laundry at 701 N. Illinois Street, Monticello, IN.  Approximately 15 minutes later, a second robbery was reported at the Bank of Wolcott on Sixth Street in Monticello, IN. The description of the suspect in both robberies was the same.

A description of the suspect and his vehicle was broadcasted to area law enforcement officers. At approximately 10:48 a.m., an officer from the Monticello Police Department observed a Ford Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), which the suspect was alleged to have been driving. The officer initiated a traffic stop, but the driver, a 43-year-old Carroll County man, refused to stop. He led officers on an approximately three minute pursuit. During the pursuit, the Ford hit a structure in an alley between Bluff and Main Streets, in Monticello. At that time, a passenger in the Ford emerged from the vehicle and fled on foot. The Carroll County man then drove approximately another block before he stopped the Ford, and then fled on foot. 

A Monticello Police Officer chased the driver, on foot, for approximately one minute. During the chase, the officer deployed his Taser, which did not stop the suspect. The suspect then purportedly broke into the backdoor of an occupied residence at 614 Bluff Street, Monticello, IN. The Monticello officer, who was giving chase, gave the suspect verbal directions to surrender. The officer allegedly fired at least one shot from his department issued Springfield 40 caliber handgun. The 43 year-old Carroll County man was struck in the stomach. He is currently in an Indianapolis hospital in critical condition. He had no connection to the home he had broken into.

The passenger, who fled from the Ford, was apprehended immediately by pursuing officers.

The officer involved in the shooting is currently on paid administrative leave. This is standard operating procedure for the Monticello Police Department as it relates to officers involved in a police action shooting.

Detectives are in the early stages of this investigation. No further information will be released at this time. As the investigation progresses, relevant information will be released.