Two law enforcement officers were wounded in a shootout following a traffic stop early Sunday morning in Mitchell that left the suspect dead.
The incident began at approximately 3:15 a.m. when a Lawrence County Sheriff's Deputy pulled over a vehicle in the 4800 block of SR 37 for a traffic violation. A second deputy with a K9 unit and a Mitchell police officer arrived to assist, and the “traffic stop evolved into a drug investigation after the police K9 conducted an open-air sniff and gave a positive indication of the presence of narcotics in the vehicle,” according to an Indiana State Police release.
After the car was searched and narcotics found, officers attempted to put the driver, identified as 29-year-old Anthony Richmond of West Baden Springs, in handcuffs. But Richmond fled across SR 37 into a grassy area. As officers attempted to apprehend Richmond, he allegedly pulled out a handgun and began firing at point-blank range at the officers, striking Lawrence County Sheriff's Deputy Joshua Rhoades and Mitchell police officer Christian Anderson.
Both were taken to IU Health Bedford, then transported by helicopter to IU Methodist Indianapolis. Rhodes was treated for two gunshot wounds and released. Anderson remains hospitalized in stable condition with one non-life threatening gunshot wound.
One of the officers was able to return fire, striking Richmond, who was treated at the scene but was pronounced dead after being placed in an ambulance.
“This tragic incident underscores the dangers that law enforcement officers face each day, even in our beloved Lawrence County,” Lawrence County Sheriff Greg Day said in the release. “I am extremely proud of the actions and response by officers from my office as well as our law enforcement and first responder partners. I am very thankful Deputy Rhoades and Officer Anderson will make full recoveries, and I am mindful that a family is mourning the loss of a loved one. The lives of many people were affected by a senseless criminal act. Thank you to our brave officers for their dedication and courage.”
The incident was captured on the body cameras and investigators are reviewing the footage.
