Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Tuesday, July 8, 2014
(INDIANAPOLIS) - Indianapolis Public Safety Director Troy Riggs and IMPD Police Chief Rick Hite say Major Davis shouldn’t have been in possession of an AK-47. That’s the firearm Chief Hite says Davis used to fatally shoot veteran officer Perry Renn.
Hite says Renn asked the 25-year-old to drop his weapon prior to the shootout, but Davis refused.
Hite says Davis remains in critical condition pending a murder charge in Eskenazi Hospital.
The chief says they're still looking into whether the round that eventually killed Renn penetrated his bulletproof vest.
Chief Hite says they've heard that Davis had possible mental health and substance abuse issues including alcohol.
Hite and Riggs say convicted felons should not have access to assault weapons. Hite says state and federal partners have pledged to help IMPD lobby state lawmakers for tougher laws and penalties against criminal possession of assault weapons.
Hite and Riggs spoke outside the new training class for some 60 police recruits.
Riggs says despite this past weekend's events, the new recruits say they remain committed to becoming officers.
Riggs says they're also lobbying the state legislature for mandatory minimum sentences for convicted felons in possession of assault weapons. Riggs says it's not a Second Amendment debate. They simply want to get assault weapons out of the hands of criminals and make sure they get tougher sentences upon conviction.
Riggs says mandatory minimum sentences would help reduce the city's homicide rate.
Hite says arrangements are still being made for Renn.
On another note, Hite says they're seeking more information from the public regarding the shooting that occurred in Broad Ripple early Saturday. Seven people were hurt, one critically in that incident.
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