ANDERSON, Ind. — Prosecutors in Madison County have determined the suspect in a shootout involving a Pendelton police officer in Anderson last week shot himself during the incident, but that the officer was justified in using deadly force during the exchange.
According to the review by the prosecutor's office, Pendleton Police Ofc. Jerry Branson was on the north side of Anderson, looking for a driver who had been involved in an accident on Interstate 69. While returning to Pendleton, Branson reportedly spotted a black Mercedes with a license plate number matching a vehicle of interest in a separate police investigation in Pendleton.
Branson initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle at the GetGo gas station at 2500 Broadway St. in Anderson. Prosecutors say the traffic stop was recorded on video by a security camera at the gas station, as well as a dashboard camera in Branson's vehicle and the officer's body-worn camera.
According to prosecutors, both the female driver and the male passenger were suspects in the previous investigation in Pendleton from May 1, 2024. The male told Branson he didn't have identification and gave a false name and birthdate to the officer during the stop.
The man had active warrants out for his arrest on several counts in Madison and Fayette counties.
(NOTE: 13News does not name suspects in cases until formal charges are filed by prosecutors.)
Once Branson identified the pair as suspects in the previous investigation, he detained the female driver and placed her in handcuffs outside the vehicle. While the officer called for additional officers for assistance, the male remained in the passenger side of the vehicle.
Branson reportedly made three loud verbal commands for the male suspect to keep his hands visible. When he continued to move his hands, Branson gave two more verbal commands for the man to put his hands on the dashboard. When the man disobeyed the additional commands, the officer pulled out his department-issued handgun and pointed it at the man, who pulled out a gun and pointed it back at the officer, police claim.
Prosecutors say Branson pushed the woman to the ground for her safety and attempted to fire a shot at the man, but the firearm malfunctioned. Once he cleared the weapon, Branson reportedly fired four shots at the male passenger, who fired six times at the officer during a 10-second exchange of gunfire.
The officer was struck in the shoulder with one of the shots.
The man then got out of the car and reportedly shot himself in an upward direction from under his chin.
Branson was treated at the hospital and released on the same day.
The male suspect's only injury was the self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was taken to the hospital, where he remains in critical condition, prosecutors said.
Following its review, the prosecutor's office determined Branson was justified in his use of deadly force.
If the suspect recovers from his injuries, the prosecutor's office said he will be formally charged with attempted murder, possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, battery with a deadly weapon, and false informing, as well as enhancements for the use of a firearm and being a habitual offender.
The investigation into the incident, as well as the May 1 case for which the man and woman were suspects, is ongoing and could result in further criminal charges, the prosecutor's office said.