Rep. Greg Pence commends law enforcement for response to Greenwood mall shooting

U.S. Rep. Greg Pence commended the actions of local law enforcement as they responded to the Greenwood Park Mall Shooting during a speech at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday.

The mall shooting occurred just before 6 p.m. July 17. Four people died, including the gunman, Jonathan Douglas Sapirman, 20, of Greenwood, and two others were injured.

Sapirman was shot eight times by Elisjsha Dicken, 22, of Seymour, who police are calling a good Samaritan.

During Tuesday’s Morning Hour — a period of the day devoted by the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives to conduct routine business — Pence gave a “hearty thank you” to the brave and courageous first responders who responded to the July 17 shooting. Pence represents Indiana’s 6th Congressional District, which currently includes Columbus and next year will include Johnson County.

“When tragedy hit their community last week, they were the first on the scene to respond,” Pence said on the House floor.

He also commended both local and federal authorities for their swift and coordinated action.

“Thank you to the Greenwood Police Chief James Ison, and Johnson County Sheriff Duane Burgess for your leadership, and thank you to all of those who serve with you,” Pence said.

In the aftermath of the shooting, Pence also commended the actions of Dicken, who was able to stop the incident shortly after it began.

“We commend not only local and federal law enforcement agencies for their swift and coordinated response but also the law-abiding Good Samaritan who ended the trajectory of this incident,” Pence said in a statement last week.