ISP: Officer hears 'he's got a gun' just before police-action shooting

ICN file photo

UPDATE 7-15-20 :  The Vigo County Prosecutor's Office completed its review of the case July 15. 

The use of deadly force by the Terre Haute Police Department Officers was a legal use of force under I.C. 35-41-3-2 - Use of Force to Protect Person or Property (the self-defense statute) and I.C. 35-41-3-3 - Use of Force Relating to Arrest or Escape.

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By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News

The driver and officers a the scene were reportedly surprised to learn at the time that ​the Terre Haute man arrested following a recent police-action shooting at a local gas station parking lot had a concealed gun.

The passenger and suspect--  Jeremy Ross, 37 --is  facing multiple charges after being released from the hospital, where he was treated for a gunshot wound suffered at the scene. His charges now include attempted murder.

According to court documents, filed by Det. Don Curis Jr., of the Indiana State Police, Terre Haute Police Department Officer Dan Johnson initiated a traffic stop on a white Honda Odyssey, driven by Shannon Yocum, 43, not charged in the incident.

Yocum reportedly yelled, "He's got a gun," just as the officer was speaking to Ross, in the passenger seat. At that point, Ross had reportedly admitted to possessing k2, what is also known as synthetic marijuana. 

Things escalated quickly. Screams were heard as shots were fired at the Circle K gas station parking lot, near Rose Hulman Institute of Technology on Wabash Avenue just before midnight Friday, March 6.

​Assistance was requested, according to scanner traffic at the time.

"A separate officer came over to her side and pulled her out of the vehicle and told her to move so she was not caught in the crossfire," Curtis states in the report. He added that Yocum then described witnessing officers wrestling with Ross outside of the vehicle.

Ross allegedly resisted outside of the vehicle and officers later found a small caliber handgun near the rear of the van, in a grassy area.

Yocum denies having prior knowledge that he had the concealed weapon in the vehicle.

 Patrol Officer Johnson and Sgt. Adam Loudermilk were placed on administrative leave following the incident.

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