At approximately 3:48 p.m. Friday on US 231 northbound near County Road 550 North a trooper stopped and checked a black 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe that appeared abandoned on the side of the road. The vehicle was off the traveled portion of the highway so after checking for occupants, the trooper tagged the vehicle (tagged is a term used to advise other law enforcement officers that if a yellow tag has been placed on the vehicle, it has been checked) and proceeded on his normal patrol.
At approximately 6:35 p.m. the same trooper was driving southbound by the Tahoe he had tagged earlier that afternoon and saw that a second car, a white 2018 Dodge had pulled up in front of the Tahoe. A subject, later identified as Glenn A. Rightsell, 56 of Linden was at the front of the vehicle with the hood open. The trooper noticed a handgun on the waist of Rightsell as he pulled around behind the Tahoe and parked with his emergency lights and spotlight on to investigate circumstances of why the second vehicle was there.
As the trooper approached from the driver’s side of the Tahoe, he identified himself as a law enforcement officer and gave verbal commands to Rightsell. Rightsell failed to comply with the directions and allegedly grabbed the gun on his waist, at which time the trooper drew his sidearm and fired upon Rightsell, striking him at least once.
The trooper retreated back to his police vehicle where he advised Region 1 Radio that shots were fired and requested assistance. Montgomery County Deputies arrived and when the scene was made safe, first aid was rendered to Rightsell and he was transported to Franciscan Hospital in Crawfordsville by ambulance were he succumbed to his injuries.
A complete investigation will be conducted by the Indiana State Police and the report will be forwarded to Montgomery County Prosecutor Joseph Buser for review. Family of Rightsell have been notified. The trooper’s name will be released at a later date.
Assisting at the scene were the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department, Crawfordsville Police Department, Linden Town Marshall, Crawfordsville EMS, Indiana State Police Crime Scene Investigators, Indiana State Police Detectives and Troopers from the Indiana State Police Lafayette Post.
All further information will come from Montgomery County Prosecutor Joseph Buser.