Michigan City Police Chief Mark Swistek is releasing the names of the officers involved. Sergeant Ken Havlin, a thirty (30) year veteran of their department, who was the officer standing by the driver’s door, and Officer Charles Henderson, a twenty (20) year veteran, who was at the passenger door. Henderson shot four times in fear of injury/death to Sergeant Havlin. Walsh was hit four times. Walsh's medical status is the same.
Below is the original release:
Michigan City, La Porte County-Indiana State Police detectives and crime scene investigators at the request of Michigan City Police Chief Mark Swistek are investigating an off duty police shooting. The shooting occurred at approximately 3:54 p.m., this Saturday, April 22, 2017, afternoon.
Preliminary investigation revealed two Michigan City police officers who were off duty but working security at Franciscan Health in Michigan City were called to the hospital by family/friends about a family member who refused to leave his vehicle in the hospital parking lot to seek medical assistance.
Both officers, fully uniformed, were able to make contact with this individual, a forty-six year old white male, who was later identified as Thomas J. Walsh III of Michigan City, sitting on the passenger side of an F-150 Ford pick-up.
At one point, during their interaction with him, the 46 year old, withdrew a handgun from within the pickup, pointed that weapon at one of the officers standing by the driver’s door. The officer standing on the passenger side for fear of injury/death to the other officer, pulled his weapon and shot the Walsh several times.
Medical assistance was immediately given at the scene and Walsh was eventually flown to Memorial Hospital in South Bend for treatment where he is in critical condition. Family has been notified.
This investigation is continuing and can take several weeks to complete. No further information will be released at this time. After the investigation is complete it will be turned over to the La Porte County Prosecutor for determination.
The Michigan City Police Department will release the names of their officers at their discretion.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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