ISP investigating police-involved shooting in Scott County

SCOTT CO. –  Indiana State Police Detectives were called to investigate a police-involved shooting early Sunday morning, after a Scott County Deputy reported being fired upon and returning fire. 

Around 5:45 a.m. Sunday, a Scott County Deputy was on patrol on State Road 256 near Terry Road when he observed an off-road vehicle (ATV) turn east on SR 256 from Terry Road without stopping at the stop sign.

The deputy attempted to stop the driver of the ATV, but the driver drove the vehicle into a nearby field.  Shortly after entering the field, the deputy said the ATV stopped abruptly. The deputy exited his patrol vehicle and continued the pursuit, approaching the suspect on foot. 

The deputy reported that he heard what he believed to be gunfire. The deputy returned fire as he took cover behind a nearby house trailer. 

Officers were unable to not locate the driver near the ATV and established a perimeter.  Further attempts to locate the driver were unsuccessful.  

The Scott County Sheriff’s Department then requested the assistance of Indiana State Police detectives and crime-scene technicians from the Sellersburg Post. 

As the investigation continued, ISP detectives were able to identify the driver of the ATV after speaking with residents in the area.  Indiana Conservation Officers (ICO) offered the assistance of their search canines (K-9) and assisted troopers and deputies in conducting a more in-depth search of the nearby wooded area where the driver was believed to have fled. 

At approximately 1:30 p.m., ICO K-9 Smoky and his handler, ICO Jim Schreck, along with ISP Trooper Brett Walters, located 52-year-old Todd A. Lacey, of North Vernon, hiding in a wooded area a short distance from the original scene. 

Lacey was arrested without further incident. 

Police say the weapon was located. Lacey, however, was found to be in possession of ammunition at the time of his arrest.  

Lacey was transported to the Washington County Jail and is currently charged with resisting law enforcement with a vehicle, a Level 6 Felony. 

This investigation is ongoing. 

The Indiana State Police was assisted by Indiana Conservation Officers and officers from the Scott County Sheriff’s Department and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.