Shootout investigation involving slain THPD officer and suspect complete

By Lucy Perry 
Indiana Central News

An investigation into a shootout that left a Terre Haute Police Department officer and a suspect both dead last spring is now complete.

Vigo County Prosecutor Terry Modesitt told reporters during a press conference at the courthouse this  morning that because the 21-year-old suspect, Chris Wolfe, initiated the gunfire that killed Officer Rob Pitts, the response of other officers that day in returning fire was justified as self defense.

He added that no criminal charges will be filed against THPD Officers JT Pearce and Brian Bourbeau. 

"Unfortunately, police officers must sometimes respond to a situation with deadly force. This was one of those situations," Modesitt said.
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While explaining that Wolfe's cause of death was determined to be suicide, Modesitt points out that he appeared to have also been grazed by a shot or injured by a fragment during the May 4 exchange of gunfire at the Garden Quarter apartment complex, located just south of Terre Haute.

The Indiana State Police conducted an investigation of the shootout and determined the suspect fired four shots and each of the above named officers returned at least two shots each.

Wolfe's girlfriend was charged in connection to the incident.  

Lakrista Julian,18, of Terre Haute, was booked into the Vigo County Jail the following morning. She was charged with obstruction of justice.

No additional suspects are being considered for additional charges. 

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