NEW CASTLE – Detectives from the Indiana State Police Pendleton District were requested by Chief Matt Schofield to investigate an officer-involved shooting that occurred in New Castle last night.
The information below is preliminary and from an active investigation:
On October 16, 2023, at approximately 10:22 p.m., Officers from the New Castle Police Department responded to a shots fired call near the 200 block of N. 29th Street in New Castle. When officers arrived at the scene, they established a perimeter around the residence and attempted to establish contact with individuals inside. Communication was made and officers attempted to de-escalate the situation through negotiation and were able to peacefully remove two individuals from the house.
The suspect, later identified as Donald Guffey Jr., 59, of New Castle, barricaded himself inside the residence and refused to answer any further communications attempted by police. New Castle Police activated the New Castle/Henry County Joint Swat (Special Weapons and Tactics) Team to respond to the scene. Once the swat team arrived, they continued to call out Guffey from the residence. Eventually, Guffey approached a front window of the residence with a firearm and engaged officers. Two officers from the New Castle Swat team discharged their department-issued rifles in response.
Guffey was struck at least once by the gunfire and medical aid was administered. Guffey was later pronounced dead at the scene. No officers or uninvolved citizens were injured. The names of the involved officers will be released later.
This is an active investigation by the Indiana State Police and once completed will be turned over to the Henry County Prosecutor for review.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
