Party turns dangerous on north side, THPD investigating

Frazier

The Terre Haute Police Department is investigating an out of control party on the north side, that officials say not only put the public in danger ---  with reckless driving, disorderly conduct and gunshots fired at the scene -- but also resulted in the arrest of a man charged with nearly running over an officer as he responded to the scene. 

Javhonn D. Frazier, 21, of Indianapolis, was arrested and booked into the Vigo County Jail. He is charged with battery by means of a deadly weapon, criminal recklessness and resisting law enforcement. 

After responding to a call for one man being injured while directing traffic at the event held at National Guard Armory, at 3614 Maple Avenue, an officer then began directing vehicles from the parking lot early Sunday morning, when vehicle was heard accelerating its engine. Officers began ordering the vehicle to stop as it accelerated in that direction.

"The driver of the vehicle accelerated toward the officer who had to push himself off of the vehicle to avoid being run over.  The driver then continued to accelerate around several vehicles and nearly struck multiple people walking in the area," Chief of Police Shawn Keen said.

Eventually, the suspect, Frazier, ran off the roadway and into a ditch on Maple Avenue and was taken into custody.

According to the report, police were called to the scene regarding the report of a man directing traffic at the event being struck by a vehicle just after midnight yesterday. That suspect then fled the area.

"The victim stated the driver of the vehicle ignored his directions and conducted a U-turn resulting in him being struck and pinned against another vehicle," Chief Shawn Keen said, noting  the victim suffered redness to his leg, but declined further medical treatment. 

A large private group reportedly was using the armory for a party, with  hundreds of vehicles and thousands of people on the parking lots of the armory and at the nearby  high school.  Keen said that because officers observed active fighting among participants,  they informed a private security company that was overseeing the event that it was over and to inform participants to leave the premises.

Chaos ensued.

Offers reported hearing between 30 to 100 gunshots coming from the parking lot of the armory.   Multiple vehicles appeared to have sustained damage from gunshots,  including one Keen noted was occupied by several people.  A person in that vehicle suffered cuts to the face from broken glass.  

The scene and vehicles were processed for evidence and numerous shell casings were recovered. A criminal investigation is underway into the night is ongoing.

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​"Based on the serious risk that was posed to citizens, and responding officers, the investigation will also seek to determine how this event was permitted and how the break-down in control by event organizers and private security occurred.  It is our goal to fully understand what private measures were put in place to ensure public safety, and where those measures failed.  Furthermore, it is our intent to work with involved agencies and groups to examine what possible control measures may be available or needed to better regulate future events in the city," Keen said.

The Vigo County Sheriff’s Department and other law enforcement agencies  assisted at the scene.