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Southport police officer thought he was responding to a routine crash, instead he was shot to death

Posted at 3:07 PM, Jul 27, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-28 20:57:37-04

SOUTHPORT, Ind. -- A Southport police lieutenant was killed Thursday afternoon in a bizarre shooting while responding to help victims of a crash on Marion County's south side. 

Lt. Aaron Allan was assisting a Homecroft Police Department officer when he approached the overturned vehicle at Madison Avenue and Maynard Drive and was shot multiple times, according to Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Sergeant Kendale Adams.

A witness at the scene said the driver was upside down in the vehicle when he began firing at Lt. Allan. That witness described hearing "at least 20" shots fired. 

Lt. Allan was rushed to Eskenazi Hospital where he later died. He was a six-year veteran of the Southport Police Department. 

The responding Homecroft police officer along with an off-duty Johnson County deputy returned fire, striking the suspect, according to Sgt. Adams. 

The suspected shooter, Jason Brown, and a passenger were also taken to Eskenazi Hospital. Neither was reported to have life-threatening injuries.

RELATED | Who is Jason Brown, suspected cop shooter?

According to a police report from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Brown, 28, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of murder. 

Brown has four infractions and one misdemeanor on his record. The misdemeanor was a charge of possession of marijuana or a synthetic cannabinoid. He was found guilty and sentenced to 30 days in a county jail. 

The Marion County prosecutor will make a decision on charges for Brown on Tuesday.  A court hearing is set for 1 p.m.

The 20-year-old passenger in Brown's car was interviewed as a witness and released by detectives, according to IMPD. The passenger has not been charged in connection with the shooting death of Lt. Allan. 

 

Chief Thomas Vaughn with the Southport Police Department thanked the community, the local and state police departments Thursday night as well as city officials for the outpouring of support. 

RELATED |Lt. Aaron Allan: Husband, father and first to help

“It is with a heavy heart that I say this afternoon we lost a brother, Lt. Aaron Allan," said Chief Vaughn.  "Lt. Allan was a six year veteran with the Southport Police Department and with nearly 20 years of experience in law enforcement. Lt. Allan was a hard worker and today was no different. He responded to a crash with urgency to preserve life. Tragically his was lost. We appreciate the community support as we continue to work through the loss of our brother. “

Mayor Joe Hogsett issued a statement Thursday evening about Lt. Allan's death. 

“Today, Lieutenant Aaron Allan was doing what officers do each day: responding to the scene of an accident ready to help someone in their time of need. His death is a shocking and tragic reminder of the difficult, often dangerous work of police officers across Marion County. Together, our community grieves for the Allan family and for all the men and women who risk their lives on a daily basis to protect our city and its citizens.”

You can watch the full press conference from Eskenazi Hospital below. 

 

 

A procession took Lt. Allan's body from Eskenazi to the Marion County Coroner's Office Thursday evening. 

The shooting remains under investigation.

You can see video of the scene where the shooting took place below.