Indianapolis News and Headlines

Actions

Man injured in officer-involved shooting after leading Muncie police on a chase

Posted at 6:08 AM, Mar 24, 2017
and last updated 2017-03-24 19:47:59-04

MUNCIE, Ind. – A man was injured in an officer-involved shooting early Friday morning after police say he led them on a chase and then tried to run two Muncie officers over with his car.

Indiana State Police said the incident began as a traffic stop around 2:30 a.m., in the 500 block of W. Memorial Drive. The driver, Charles Dinkins, 48, refused to stop and fled from police, leading them on a chase.

A female passenger who was in the car with Dinkins jumped out in a post office parking lot before the car went through a gate. Two officers stopped to assist the woman; they say Dinkins turned his car around and sped towards them.

"The Cavalier crashed into the fence at the backside of the property and then turned around and came back at the officers again, refusing to stop," said Indiana State Police Sergeant John Bowling. 

Shots were fired at Dinkins car; he was hit at least once. Dinkins drove up the road and crashed near 13th Street and Elliot Streets.

Henry Rhoades said he woke up to find Dinkins' Chevy Cavalier crashed into his pickup truck.

"Police officer said, 'would you mind going back in the house, there's been a shooting,'" said Rhoads. "I said, 'yes sir, adios!'"

Dinkins was taken to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital for treatment of what police say are non-life-threatening injuries.

Neither officer was hurt.

Both officers involved in the incident were placed on routine administrative leave while the shooting is investigated. The department said both men fewer than five years on the force.

Muncie police later discovered Dinkins was wanted on a misdemeanor warrant out of Henry County. 

The shooting remains under investigation by Muncie Police, the Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office and Indiana State Police. 

MORE MUNCIE STORIES:

Man found shot dead near car in Muncie

Two weeks after searching his office, FBI agents arrest Muncie building commissioner

Muncie-based cancer services agency hacked for data won't pay ransom

Arrest made in "executed" man's death in Delaware County