Clinton County, IN – An investigation is underway after a violent confrontation during a Clinton County traffic stop left a suspect and a law enforcement officer hospitalized Tuesday night. The Indiana State Police are leading the case at the request of the Clinton County Sheriff.
According to state police, the incident began around 8:45 p.m. Tuesday when a Clinton County deputy conducted a traffic stop along State Road 29, just south of County Road 400 North. The Kirklin Town Marshal’s Office arrived to assist. During the stop, all adults were standing outside the vehicle when a passenger allegedly fired a handgun toward officers, striking two Kirklin town marshals.
Officers returned fire with their duty handguns, striking the suspect at least once. The suspect then fled on foot into a nearby field, where officers located him and took him into custody. Medical aid was administered immediately, and a handgun was recovered at the scene.
Both the suspect and one of the struck officers were transported to an Indianapolis-area hospital. Police say the officer is in stable condition. A second officer was also hit by gunfire, but their bullet-resistant vest prevented injury.
There were four adults and one child in the vehicle. One adult—unrelated to the suspect—was struck by gunfire and transported with non-life-threatening injuries. The remaining occupants, including the child, were unharmed.
State police note that the investigation remains active, and all information is preliminary. Once complete, the case will be turned over to the Clinton County Prosecutor’s Office for review. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
