At approximately 2:27 p.m. Friday, officers of the Kokomo Police Department responded to the area of Imperial and Saratoga Boulevard on a report of two occupants possibly passed out inside of a white Chrysler PT Cruiser. As Officer Drew Wallsmith arrived in the area, he observed the suspect vehicle traveling westbound on Savoy onto the Markland Mall parking lot. The officer initiated a traffic stop.
The vehicle came to a stop on the east side of the parking lot. As the officer approached the vehicle, he observed an adult male driver and an adult female passenger. The officer asked the driver and female passenger for their identifications. The occupants voluntarily produced their identifications. The officer returned back to his vehicle to run the individual’s information. The officer found the driver had an active warrant for his arrest out of Tippecanoe County for Probation Violation.
The officer exited his vehicle and walked to driver’s side door. The officer instructed the driver that he was wanted and asked him to exit the vehicle. The driver produced a handgun. The officer removed his firearm and retreated back from the vehicle while the driver made statements that he was going to shoot himself. The driver then shot himself once while sitting inside the car. The female was safely removed from the vehicle as medics were immediately dispatched to the scene.
The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. There were no other injuries reported.
The victim’s name is being withheld.
This case remains active for investigation by the Kokomo Police Department and the Howard County Coroner’s Office. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Captain Teresa Galloway at 765-456-7326, or the Kokomo Police Department Hotline at (765) 456-7017.