MUNCIE, Ind. — A male suspect was hospitalized after he exchanged gunfire with police in Delaware County Friday night, according to Indiana State Police.
The incident began Friday around 9 p.m. when Muncie police officers were called to a business parking lot on Wheeling Avenue on reports of a man drinking beer in his car. When officers arrived, the man refused to show his hands and told officers he had a weapon.
The man, who has been identified as Benjamin Paul Brooks, 38, of Farmland, then slowly drove his car out of the parking lot and east onto McGalliard Road, then north onto Walnut Street, police say. Delaware County deputies then joined the slow pursuit. Speeds did not reach above 20 mph.
Police say Brooks also tried to ram a patrol car and fired a gun out of his car window.
Brooks’ car got a flat tire after spike strips were deployed during the pursuit. A short time later Brooks turned east onto County Road 900 North and then got out of his car and fired shots at officers. The officers returned fire and struck him.
Police say Brooks got back in his car, drove away, and then finally stopped on County Road 900 North just east of County Road 175 East. Officers rendered aid to Brooks until he was transported to IU Health’s Ball Memorial Hospital. Details about his condition were not immediately available.
Officers learned Brooks was wanted for possession of methamphetamine out of Grant County, Indiana and he also had a warrant out of Nevada for failing to appear for possession of a controlled substance.
Indiana State Police are handling the investigation. No other details have been released.
