WEST BADEN SPRINGS, Ind. – Indiana State Police have launched a manhunt to locate a man suspected of shooting and wounding a deputy during a traffic stop, WDRB reported.
ISP identified the suspect as 33-year-old Austin Schepers, according to the report. He was last seen shortly before 1 a.m. on Jan. 3 in West Baden driving a silver 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix with Indiana license plate CRT921. The vehicle was later found in the Orangeville area, about 10 miles north of the shooting site.
ISP Sgt. John Davis said the Orange County sheriff’s deputy was getting out of his cruiser when the suspect started shooting, according to WAVE.
Before the shooting, the deputy called for help at the scene. A responding officer found the deputy wounded when they arrived, WAVE reports.
Schepers is described as 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing 150 pounds, with brown hair, hazel eyes, a cross tattoo under his left eye and additional tattoos around his neck.
ISP stated that Schepers was not alone in the car during the shooting. A female who was believed to be in the car during the shooting was taken into custody, WAVE reports.
The deputy, whose condition is currently unknown, is being treated at a hospital in Louisville, according to WDRB.
ISP urges anyone with information about Schepers or the incident to call 911 or the ISP Bloomington Post at 812-332-4411. Authorities caution the public not to approach the suspect if spotted.
