UPDATE 2:20 p.m.Â
Franklin police say the man wanted in connection to a double shooting in Hope shot himself near Whiteland following a pursuit Friday morning.
The shooting suspect, Robbie L. Perez, 35, of Columbus, was found shot with a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a slow-speed police pursuit Friday, Franklin Police Captain Scott Carter said. Robbie Perez was taken to Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital in Indianapolis following the shooting, and his condition is unknown, police say.
Law enforcement had been seeking Perez following a shooting that occurred late Thursday in Hope, located northeast of Columbus. At 11:25 p.m. Thursday, Bartholomew County Sheriff’s deputies were sent to the 300 block of Elm St. in Hope where they found George Perez Jr., 36, and his 3-year-old son shot.
Law enforcement had been seeking Perez following a shooting that occurred late Thursday in Hope, located northeast of Columbus. At 11:25 p.m. Thursday, Bartholomew County Sheriff’s deputies were sent to the 300 block of Elm St. in Hope where they found George Perez Jr., 36, and his 3-year-old son shot.
Robbie Perez is the brother of the 36-year-old. It was previously reported that the juvenile was 2 years old, but police now say he is 3, according to a Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office news release.
The two victims were transported to Indianapolis by Lifeline helicopter. George Perez has been released from the hospital, but sheriff deputies said the child was seriously injured in the incident.
Bartholomew County investigators believe the shooting stemmed from a family dispute, specifically a long-term feud between the brothers. Robbie Perez was identified as the suspect, and was believed to be possibly driving a silver Chevrolet HHR, deputies said.
Robbie Perez was believed to be armed and dangerous, and possibly in any of the surrounding counties around Bartholomew County and also possibly Rush County.
Franklin Police located the silver Chevrolet HHR traveling westbound along East King Street near Interstate 65 sometime between 10:35 to 10:45 a.m. Friday. Officers knew the vehicle type and plate number and saw it driving coming into the downtown area, Carter said.
Around 10:49 a.m., the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office was notified that the vehicle was spotted in Franklin, the office said. Franklin officers followed the suspect for a period of time until they had enough vehicles to assist with performing a traffic stop, Carter said.
When the traffic stop was initiated, the vehicle did not stop and led officers on a slow-speed pursuit of between 40 to 50 mph as the vehicle went north on Hurricane Road out of Franklin. Law enforcement deployed stop sticks on the vehicle just north of the intersection of Hurricane Road and Earlywood Drive/East County Road 300 North, he said.
The vehicle eventually came to a stop near Hurricane Road and Whiteland Road, where Robbie Perez pulled out a black handgun and shot himself in the jaw. Officers immediately rendered first aid to the suspect, and he was taken to the hospital, Carter said.
No officers were injured during the pursuit, he said. Crime scene technicians also recovered a firearm from inside the vehicle.
Bartholomew County deputies say Robbie Perez is now under arrest on two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. The incident remains under investigation.
ORIGINAL STORY
Franklin police say the man wanted in connection to a double shooting in Hope shot himself near Whiteland following a pursuit Friday morning.
A man who police believe is the shooting suspect was found shot with a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a slow-speed police pursuit Friday. While the man’s identity hasn’t been officially confirmed, police believe it is the same suspect, Robbie L. Perez, 35, of Columbus, and his vehicle, Franklin Police Captain Scott Carter said.
Perez was taken to Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital in Indianapolis following the shooting, and his condition was not immediately available.
Law enforcement had been seeking Perez following a shooting that occurred late Thursday in Hope, located northeast of Columbus. At 11:25 p.m. Thursday, Bartholomew County Sheriff’s deputies were sent to the 300 block of Elm St. in Hope where they found a 36-year-old male and a 2-year-old male shot.
Perez is the brother of the 36-year-old, according to deputies.
The two victims were transported to Indianapolis by Lifeline helicopter. The man has been released from the hospital, but sheriff deputies said the child was seriously injured in the incident.
Initial investigation from Bartholomew County investigators suggested the shooting stemmed from a family dispute. Perez was identified as the suspect, and was believed to be possibly driving a silver Chevrolet HHR, deputies said.
Perez was believed to be armed and dangerous, and possibly in any of the surrounding counties around Bartholomew County and also possibly Rush County.
Franklin Police located the suspect’s vehicle in downtown Franklin sometime between 10:35 to 10:45 a.m. Friday. Officers followed the suspect for a period of time until they had enough vehicles to assist with performing a traffic stop, Carter said.
When the traffic stop was initiated, the vehicle did not stop and led officers on a slow-speed pursuit of between 40 to 50 mph as the vehicle went north on Hurricane Road out of Franklin. Law enforcement deployed stop sticks on the vehicle just north of the intersection of Hurricane Road and Earlywood Drive/East County Road 300 North, he said.
The vehicle eventually came to a stop near Hurricane Road and Whiteland Road, where the suspect — believed to be Perez —pulled out a black handgun and shot himself in the jaw. Officers immediately rendered first aid to the suspect, and he was taken to the hospital, Carter said.
Bartholomew County investigators are now taking over the scene. No officers were injured during the pursuit, he said.
The scene of the shooting in the 300 block of Elm Street in Hope.Mike Wolanin | For the Daily Journal
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The Columbus Republic, a sister newspaper to the Daily Journal, contributed to this report.
