Suicide shuts down interstate
(Fishers) — Authorities say all four northbound lanes of Interstate 69 in Hamilton County were closed Wednesday afternoon after an apparent suicide. Lane closures were at mile marker 5 after incident happened near mile marker 9. Fishers police said dispatchers began receiving calls shortly after 2 p.m. about a female running in front of vehicles. At one point, she jumped in front of a tractor-trailer. She was later pronounced dead at the scene. The backup stretched for several miles shortly after the incident. Lanes were reopened just before 4:30 p.m.
Store manager resigns after fatal shooting fallout
(Indianapolis) — A grocery store manager who shot a man attempting to rob a grocery store last year resigned from his job Wednesday. Elijah “Levi” Elliott, 24, shot Jeremy Atkinson, 26, at the Kroger store located near 71stand Georgetown Road last Dec. 26, after Atkinson placed a female employee in a chokehold. Prosecutors declined to file charges against Elliott, reasoning the shooting was justified under Indiana law to prevent the commission of a forcible felony. Reading from a statement and standing beside his attorney, the former manager said he has carried a gun since 2009, although he knew the store’s policy prohibited employees from carrying weapons in the workplace. But says he feared for his life and does not regret his actions during the attempted robbery. Atkinson had a warrant out for his arrest for violating the terms of his release on a robbery and criminal confinement case in which he had received a six year sentence. Elliott had worked for Kroger for six years.
Right to work bill signed into law
(Indianapolis) — As promised Governor Mitch Daniels signed the right to work bill into law Wednesday hours after the controversial legislation passed in the Senate. The move makes Indiana the 23rd state to prohibit labor contracts that require workers to pay union representation fees. Supporters of the law say the measure will attract more businesses and jobs to Indiana. But opponents say right to work legislation means lower wages for union workers. Soon after the Senate passed the measure, thousands of chanting union members protested outside the statehouse accusing Republicans of rushing the measure through to avoid any disruption to Super Bowl activities. Hours later, the protestors marched into Super Bowl Village and say their efforts are not done. WRTV-Channel 6 is reporting that Teamsters President Jeff Combs said the union will use trucks to disrupt getting into and out of Lucas Oil Stadium ahead of the Super Bowl. Governor Daniels responded, saying that it would be a “colossal mistake” for protestors to infringe on Super Bowl festivities and that any such move could backfire on the demonstrators. There were no arrests during Wednesday’s demonstrations. The Indiana Department of Public Safety say a strategy is in place if protestors rally on Super Bowl Sunday.
Police release shooting victim’s name
(Lawrence) — The Lawrence Police Department have identified the body of a man found in an alley earlier this week. Police received a call of shots fired just before 10 p.m. Tuesday night in the 5200 block of Traditions Drive, near 52nd Street and Mitthoeffer Road. Demetrios Williams, 45, died of multiple gunshot wounds. He later died at Methodist Hospital. Witnesses reported seeing a person leave the shooting scene in a maroon or red Chevrolet Malibu without hubcaps. Another car, a dark Ford Taurus or Mercury Sable, also left the alley at the same time. Anyone with information is urged to contact CrimeStoppers at (317) 262-TIPS.
Man with previous conviction found with child pornography
(Greenwood) — A man with a past conviction for child solicitation was found with hundreds of images of child pornography in a home he shared with his girlfriend and her child. Police began investigating suspicious downloads in December. Last week, officers served a search warrant at the home of Michael W. Caplinger, 35, in the 3100 block of Stones Crossing Road. The search produced videos showing children including toddlers in sexually explicit situations. Caplinger has reportedly confessed to downloading the child pornography.
