BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY, Ind. — A Johnson County man is dead after running from police and firing at officers.
According to Indiana State Police, Brown County police notified other nearby police agencies to be on the lookout for Martin Douglas Jr., 30, of Nineveh. Police said Douglas was “despondent” and may be armed. He was reportedly driving from Nineveh to Bartholomew County and possibly intended to hurt one or more people.
When an officer with the Columbus Police Department spotted Douglas’s truck and tried to pull him over, Douglas refused to stop and a chase ensued.
State Police say Douglas was driving “erratically” and at high speeds and had successfully avoided several stop sticks placed in an attempt to stop his truck. The chase continued toward County Road 300 West and State Road 58 south of Columbus, where one of Douglas’ truck tires was deflated.
Douglas stopped in the road and fired approximately 15 rounds from a rifle at officers. Officers then returned fire. Douglas then got back in his truck and kept driving before coming to a stop in a cornfield.
Officers surrounded the truck and the Columbus Police SWAT team arrived a short time later. The South Zone Indiana State Police SWAT Team also arrived on the scene as officers tried to negotiate with Douglas.
At around 5:30 p.m., after a five-hour standoff, police say Douglas got out of his truck and picked up a second rifle from a box in the back of his truck. ISP SWAT team members then fired and struck Douglas.
Douglas was pronounced dead at the scene by the coroner’s office.
Indiana State Police are investigating the shooting and will review any pertinent information and any possible video.
