Officer, suspect killed in Terre Haute standoff while serving a warrant

TERRE HAUTE, Ind (WTHI) - A Terre Haute police officer has died after being shot by a suspect Monday afternoon, Indiana State Police confirmed Monday evening in a news conference . The suspect also died, ISP said.

Indiana State Police Sgt. Joe Watts said a Terre Haute officer was removed from the house at Eighth and Ash streets and taken by ambulance to nearby Union Hospital. Officer Brent Long, was flown to an Indianapolis area hospital in critical condition, but was later declared dead. A police dog was also shot, Watts said.

"Shots pretty much immediately rang out against the officer with the Terre Haute police officer sustaining gunshot wounds at the scene," Watts said.

Long was a six-year veteran of the Terre Haute Police Department, and was also a SWAT officer. He is survived by his wife and children.

Officers speaking at a news conference Monday were struggling to contain their emotions.

"You won't find a better officer anywhere," said Terre Haute Police Department Assitant Chief Sean Keen. "He was one of the best."

"We asked for backup. We asked for K-9 and we got it, but one of us is not coming home," Sgt. Watts said.

Vigo County prosecutor's office staff was on the scene. Watts said he expected the investigation to continue for several hours.

The incident started when an officer went to the house to serve a Sullivan County warrant on probation violation Monday afternoon. There were shots fired, and the officer went out of contact, so backup officers were called at about 3:30 p.m. After a standoff, officers had entered and were searching the house by 4:30 p.m. As of a few minutes before 5 p.m., police said the scene had been secured.

During a news conference later in the evening, Watts confirmed the suspect - a male was dead but remained inside the house as of about 8 p.m. His name was not being released, pending notification of family members.

The house was split into several apartments. There were other residents in the home at the time of the standoff, and they were allowed out of the home after the scene was secured. Police were interviewing them Monday evening, Watts said.

Indiana State Police, Terre Haute Police, Vigo County Sheriff's Department, Terre Haute Fire Department and U.S. Marshals were involved in the investigation. Indiana State Police was taking the lead in the investigation at the request of Terre Haute Police Department, Watts said.