Source: Apostrophe Productions / Getty
We expect to learn more today about a police-action shooting where one person was killed Tuesday evening on Indy’s east side. Indianapolis Metro Police say one of their officers shot and killed a passenger riding in a car that they cornered following a police chase. IMPD spokesman Kendale Adams says officers were questioning the driver, who was illegally parked in Washington Park when he took off. They pursued. The officer fired a shot at the car as it headed in reverse toward him and two other officers. Adams said the officer feared for his life and had no way out. IMPD has now identified that passenger as Joshua Dyer, 34, of Huntington Indiana. The Marion County Coroner will officially determine a cause and manner of death after an autopsy later today. The driver was Mathew Cole, 41, of Indianapolis. IMPD arrested Cole at the scene for resisting law enforcement. The investigation is on-going.
The Richmond Hill explosion case against the accused mastermind, Mark Leonard, continues today. The last two days in court included testimony from a crime scene specialist telling what evidence they found. Experts are expected on this “Hump Day” to testify for the state telling jurors what that evidence really means. Two people were killed with more than 80 homes damaged or destroyed in a scheme to blow up Leonard’s girlfriend’s house to collect the insurance payout.
A needle exchange program is being set up in Madison County to help stop the spread of Hepatitis C. The number of cases has nearly doubled since 2013 and health officials say it’s because of intravenous drug abuse which as we can see in Southern Indiana can lead to spikes in HIV infections. On Tuesday, Indiana Health Commissioner Dr. Jerome Adams declared a public health emergency there. No federal or state funding will be provided for the needle exchange.
Speaking of southern Indiana, four people in Clark County have been arrested and now face charges related to Indiana’s HIV outbreak. They are Michael Elkins, Jon Morgan, Tyler Turner, and William Thrower. Indiana State Police and Drug Enforcement Agency agents worked together in this investigation. Officials say the four men are integral to providing methamphetamines in the area identified as ground zero of this health crisis. Officials also noted, they expect more arrests.
Citizens Energy Group is building a $20 million reservoir in Fishers. The utility company has bought an 88-acre former limestone quarry on the south side of Geist Reservoir’s northern end and will fill it with water over the next five years. A CEG spokesman says the new reservoir will hold nearly three-billion gallons of water and will help with future water supply demand here in Indy which is increasing due to an increasing population.
State Senator and Pastor Clementa Pinckney will lie in state at the rotunda of the South Carolina capitol today. The 41-year-old Pinckney was conducting a Bible study session at the historic Emanuel AME Church in Charleston when he and eight other African Americans were shot to death last Wednesday night in an alleged hate crime. A 21-year-old self-described white supremacist, Dylann Storm Roof, is now charged with nine counts of murder.
The six Baltimore police officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray are pleading not guilty. State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby issued a statement saying the officers have all entered not guilty pleas, and that prosecutors are looking forward to trying this case before Judge Barry Williams. An October 13 trial date was scheduled and a motions hearing will be held on September 2. Due to the not guilty pleas being submitted in writing, the officers will not have to appear in court for arraignment hearings that had been scheduled for next week.
In Sports:
A Chicago Cubs fan is catching national attention for grabbing a foul pop-up while feeding his baby boy. Keith Hartley snagged the ball barehanded, taking it away from Los Angeles first-baseman Adrian Gonzalez. The batter was called out for fan interference. The Cubs beat the Dodgers 1-0. The baby didn’t drop one drop of milk.
Tom Brady’s appeal hearing over his four-game “Deflategate” suspension is over after one long day. Tuesday’s hearing lasted more than ten hours and no further meetings are currently scheduled. Brady’s fate now rests in the hands of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. This hearing stems from Brady’s use of under-inflated footballs in the AFC Championship Game against our home team, the Colts. Brady’s team, the New England Patriots went on to win the Super Bowl.
Indianapolis Weather:
Sunny on this Hump Day. Today’s high near 85 degrees.
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