Indiana State Police Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators continue their investigation into the death of a veteran Terre Haute Police Officer and a homicide suspect during an exchange of gunfire at an apartment building. It happened on Linwood Street in the Garden Quarter Apartment Complex at approximately 6:32 Friday evening May 4, 2018). The dead officer has been identified as Patrolman Rob Pitts, a 16-year veteran of the Terre Haute Police Department.
Preliminary investigation revealed the Terre Haute Police Department was investigating an early Friday afternoon homicide on south 18th Street in the city. As their investigation progressed, information led four of their officers to a potential suspect in the Garden Quarter Apartment. As the officers encountered the male suspect near the front door of the two-story building, the suspect fired upon the officers from an elevated position on the second floor. Terre Haute Police Officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect. The veteran officer was rushed to Terre Haute Regional Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.
A standoff ensued, and ultimately ended at approximately 9:15 last evening, as members of the Terre Haute Police Department SWAT team entered the apartment building and located the suspect on the second floor hallway. The suspect succumbed to his wounds as well.
Multiple Police/Fire/EMS/EMA/Coroner units assisted.
The investigation is ongoing and further information will be released as it becomes available.
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
