THPD demonstrates skills in chaotic situations

“During the last four-day period, members of multiple shifts and divisions responded to two homicides, and an armed individual who threatened the lives of citizens and an officer of this department."
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---Shawn Keen -Assitant Chief of Police

Keen

• Early Saturday morning: A 30-year-old man shot and killed outside of 6th Avenue Bar.
• Early Sunday Morning: An 18-year-old man shot to death in a field near a residence where a party was underway.
• Early Tuesday morning: A 25-year-old man, shot during a confrontation with police at a residence, is hospitalized in serious condition.

While Terre Haute Police Assistant Chief Shawn Keen describes the latest series of tragic events as “chaotic,” he reassures citizens of the department’s continued commitment to ensuring safety in the community.

“During the last four-day period, members of multiple shifts and divisions responded to two homicides, and an armed individual who threatened the lives of citizens and an officer of this department.  All of these incidents were chaotic in nature, and represented a serious threat to the community and those who responded,” Keen said today, adding,
“When the crowds, patrons, and residents were running away or taking cover, the responding officers did not hesitate to put themselves in harm’s way to save lives and restore order.”

Enduring challenging environments, oftentimes being outnumbered -- and still being able to perform their duties -- should be a testament to their training, Keen notes.​

Each scene recently involved various tactics that demonstrate officer preparedness, including securing suspects, preventing any further harm to the citizens, quickly separating witnesses, securing evidence and providing immediate treatment to those who were injured.  

Although it’s difficult to predict when such situations will occur, THPD officers train and prepare for dangerous and violent events that can happen anywhere, any day, any time and to anyone.

​Paying attention to what is going on and reporting suspicious activity can potentially prevent or  lessen the extent of crime occurring  in any neighborhood.

“Many times, there are arguments or events that lead up to a violent scenario, and many times we have had people tell us that they didn’t report the earlier events because they didn’t want to get involved.  While we are here to serve you, there is something to be said of looking out for one another by reporting suspicious activity,”Keen said.