Seymour-Shortly after 1:00 a.m. this morning, Indiana State Police detectives were requested by the Seymour Police Department, to conduct an investigation into a police action shooting that occurred at a Seymour, Indiana address involving an officer with the Seymour Police Department.
The incident began when officers were called to 1591 Westgate Road, Seymour, Indiana reference a man in the residence allegedly acting erratically. The man, who was reported to be Alvin Otte, age 80, was allegedly in possession of a gun and a knife and had possibly fired the weapon inside of the residence.
Multiple officers with the Seymour Police Department arrived on the scene. Officers on scene allegedly heard additional shots coming from inside the residence where Otte was believed to be the lone occupant. Otte then exited the front door of the residence and allegedly raised a rifle toward officers. Officer Michael Payne, a five year veteran of the Seymour Police Department, fired at least one shot at Otte, striking him in the arm and causing him to put the weapon down.
Officers then approached Otte and took him into custody. Officers immediately began administering first aid and EMS personnel were called to the scene. Otte was transported to Schneck Medical Center in Seymour, Indiana for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. He was treated and released before being held for a mental evaluation.
Officer Payne will be placed on paid administrative leave as part of the Seymour Police Department’s standard policy when officers are involved in a shooting.
The investigation is ongoing.
At the conclusion of the investigation, the case will be turned over to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
-30- SGT. STEPHEN WHEELES
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
