The Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS -- A police officer whose bulletproof vest saved him from serious injury when he was shot at close range fatally shot the gunman in an exchange of gunfire, police said.
Justin Coates, 23, of Indianapolis died Monday night after exchanging fire with Patrolman Adrian S. Aurs, striking the officer at least once, said Sgt. Russell Burns, a spokesman for the Indianapolis Police Department.
Burns said the bulletproof vest Aurs was wearing stopped the bullet. He was treated and released from an Indianapolis hospital.
“The vest worked. It saved his life,” Burns said.
An off-duty gun Aurs was wearing on his chest also was struck by a bullet. It was unclear whether it was the same round.
The shooting occurred about 11 p.m. Monday when Aurs arrived at an apartment complex to investigate a report of gunfire and saw a truck speeding away. Police learned later that the truck had been stolen and that Coates was wanted on several warrants.
Aurs chased the truck for about 12 minutes in his patrol car until Coates jumped out of the truck and fled on foot, followed by Aurs. As Coates began climbing a fence behind a home, Aurs grabbed his legs, and Coates turned and fired twice at Aurs, police said.
Aurs shot back at Coates, who died from a gunshot wound to the chest.
A weapon was found underneath him and two shell casings were recovered. The type of weapon was not disclosed.