KOSCIUSKO CO. – The Indiana State Police has been requested to investigate an early morning pursuit that involved officers from the Warsaw Police Department, which led to a police vehicle being rammed by the suspect and an officer firing his weapon.
A preliminary investigation by Indiana State Police detectives indicates that on Saturday, June 7, at approximately 3:33 a.m., an officer with the Warsaw Police Department attempted to make a traffic stop on a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado, which led to a short pursuit by officers. The pursuit ended near the intersection of SR 13 and E CR 150 North when the fleeing driver rammed into a stationary Warsaw Police Department SUV. At the time of the collision, the officer was exiting his vehicle. The officer was later treated and released for an injury to his leg.
After this initial crash, the driver of the Chevrolet drove a short distance, then turned around and crashed into the police vehicle again. During this sequence of events, the Warsaw Police Officer from the struck police vehicle fired one shot from his department-issued handgun. Evidence indicates the shot hit the Chevrolet but did not strike the driver or his passenger. After the second collision, the driver of the Chevrolet fled on foot into a nearby field but was taken into custody by a K9 officer with the Warsaw Police Department without force. The passenger in the Chevrolet complained of pain and was taken to Kosciusko Community Hospital, where he was treated and released.
The driver of the Chevrolet, identified as Lance Walter, 37 of Mansfield, OH, was taken to the Kosciusko County Jail for preliminary charges of Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle and Attempted Murder.
Any inquiries into the identity of the officer involved and his duty status should be directed to the Warsaw Police Department.
This is an ongoing investigation with the Indiana State Police conducting interviews, reviewing in-car and body-worn camera footage, and processing the scene.
Following this investigation, all information will be submitted to the Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office for review. There is no additional information to release at this time.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
