Man who wounded cop dies in gunfight
By CHARLES WILSON The Associated Press July 28, 2012 3:52PM
This undated photo provided by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department shows James Lockhart III. On Saturday, July 28, 2012, police said Lockhart ambushed a police officer during a traffic stop and shot him in the head before dying in a gunfight with other officers. Indianapolis police spokesman Kendale Adams said Fortville officer Matthew Fox remains hospitalized in good condition. (AP Photo/Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department)
Updated: July 28, 2012 11:04PM
INDIANAPOLIS — A 27-year-old Indianapolis man ambushed a police officer during a traffic stop and shot him in the head before being fatally shot by other officers, authorities said Saturday.
Indianapolis police identified the gunman as James Lockhart III, who they say had previous arrests for felony battery, misdemeanor resisting law enforcement and possession of marijuana.
Police spokesman Kendale Adams said 29-year-old Fortville officer Matthew Fox remained hospitalized in good condition Saturday afternoon.
Fox tried to pull over a white Volvo on Friday night in northwest Hancock County, just east of Indianapolis, but the driver fled, police said.
The driver, later identified as Lockhart, eventually pulled over in a Lawrence subdivision on the northeast side of Indianapolis. Before Fox could get out of his car, Lockhart shot at the patrol car, Adams said. There were multiple bullet holes in the driver’s side of the patrol car, he said.
Fox was struck in the hand, forehead and chest, Adams said.
“Fortunately, that bullet to the forehead did not penetrate any critical area,” Adams told The Associated Press.
Fox was able to describe the suspect and the suspect’s vehicle to other officers before being taken to the hospital, Adams said.
Minutes later, Indianapolis and Lawrence police cornered the gunman in a nearby apartment complex, Adams said. Lockhart crashed into a police car as he tried to escape, then left his vehicle and shot at officers with an assault rifle, he said.
Officers returned fire, killing him, he said.
Indianapolis police officer Andrew Branham was treated at the scene after his arm was grazed by a bullet, Adams said.
A Lawrence police dog was treated after it was hit by pieces of scrap metal scattered when bullets from Lockhart’s assault rifle struck his handler’s patrol car, Adams said.
