Police Used Taser First Before Fatally Shooting Brownstown Man

(BROWNSTOWN) – A man fatally shot by officers outside the Brownstown Police Department Wednesday produced a handgun while resisting arrest during a domestic dispute, Indiana State Police say.


Barry Rucker, 53, of Brownstown was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at Schneck Medical Center in Seymour, Sgt. Stephen Wheeles says. An autopsy is scheduled for Friday.
Two Brownstown officers responded to a domestic situation shortly after 8 a.m. Wednesday outside the Brownstown Police Department at Poplar and Walnut streets and felt Rucker needed to be taken into custody, Sgt. Wheeles added.
“Evidence indicates that he resisted their attempts to take him under arrest,” Sgt. Wheeles added. “The officers tried to subdue Mr. Rucker with a stun gun, but that didn’t work. Mr. Rucker then pulled out a small handgun, and the officers opened fire. We’re unsure at this time how many times the individual was struck by those rounds that were fired.”
The two officers involved in the incident were not injured, and their names haven’t been released. Sgt. Wheeles says the officers have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard in police-action shootings.
Jackson Circuit Court records show Rucker had a pending case on charges of domestic battery by means of a deadly weapon and intimidation with a deadly weapon.
Police put Brownstown schools and the Jackson County Judicial Center on lockdown as a precaution.

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