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Last updated on Thursday, April 7, 2016
(SPEEDWAY) - According to investigators, Douglas Gaultney has been upgraded from critical condition to serious condition. Gaultney suffered several gunshot wounds to his chest, abdomen and lower body. As a result of his injuries one leg required surgical amputation.
Moments after the shooting, police officers on scene began rendering life-saving aid to Gaultney. Due to severe bleeding, two tourniquets were applied by members of the Indiana State Police SWAT Team in an effort to stop the bleeding and stabilize him until medics could respond. Medical professionals have credited the actions of those officers with potentially saving Gaultney's life.
Police officers are trained to react and provide aid to any injured person, more specifically it is not only common practice, but the policy of the Indiana State Police to render aid after a deadly force encounter when safe to do so. Even with medical personnel staged close by, officers know every second is critical when dealing with serious injuries. The quick actions by first responders, including the Speedway Fire Department, have given Douglas a chance at survival.
It is important to address that every reasonable action was exhausted by members of the Speedway Police Department and the Indiana State Police to bring the standoff to a peaceful resolution. Ultimately, Gaultney's threatening actions toward police, that also placed innocent citizens in jeopardy, resulted in the violent conclusion to this dangerous situation.
Although Doctors have listed Gaultney in stable condition, he is still being very closely monitored and the coming days are very critical to his recovery. Investigators have not yet been able to speak with Gaultney, and will not be able to do so for the foreseeable future.
As with all criminal investigations, police will continue to examine evidence, interview witnesses and work with prosecutors in this case. This is an ongoing investigation and there is no further information available at this time.
The incident
Shortly after 1 p.m. March 30, officers from the Speedway Police Department received information of a possible wanted subject, 57 year old Douglas Gaultney of Knox County Indiana, in a white van in the area of 18th and MacArthur Lane, in Speedway. Officers were able to locate and make contact with Gaultney, who was the sole occupant of the van. Gaultney immediately brandished a shotgun causing the officers to move to a safe position and call for additional help. Gaultney was making statements that led police to believe he did not have intentions of exiting the vehicle.
The Speedway Police Department SWAT team, along with the Indiana State Police SWAT team and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department all responded to the scene. Officers attempted to negotiate with Gaultney for several hours. Gaultney exited the van at one point with the shotgun in his hands but immediately re-entered the van.
Shortly before 7 p.m. members of the Indiana State Police SWAT team and the Speedway Police SWAT team attempted less lethal tactics of tear gas and use of an armored state police vehicle to encourage Gaultney to peacefully surrender. However, Gaultney chose to get out of the van armed with a shotgun that he pointed at officers. This action resulted in several police officers shooting Gaultney who then fell to the ground. Life saving measures were immediately initiated by police officers until medics, who were staged nearby, were able to provide direct first-aid to Gaultney. Gaultney was then transported to Eskenazi Hospital in critical condition and at the writing of this release was in surgery.
No police officers or other citizens were injured during this police action shooting. Crime Scene Investigators are currently on the scene collecting and preserving evidence, as well as investigators from the Indiana State Police and Speedway Police Department.
Douglas Gaultney was wanted out of Knox County on violation of probation for possession of marijuana.
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