COLUMBUS, Ind. — Indiana State Police are still investigating after a Columbus police officer shot a suspect Sunday morning.
Shortly after 4 a.m., officers were called to a neighborhood in the 3000 block of Grove Parkway on the north side of Columbus after a homeowner reported a suspicious person seen on surveillance video walking around a house.
Columbus Police Sgt. Lukas Nibarger, a seven-year veteran, arrived and located Jacob Dale Rice, 38, with a gun outside of the home. Police claim Nibarger then chased Rice into the backyard of the home.
Police say Rice fired a shot at Nibarger, who then fired back, hitting Rice once.
Officers on the scene provided first aid to Rice before he was taken to the Columbus Municipal Airport and flown by medical helicopter to an Indianapolis hospital.
According to state police, Rice is still in critical condition.
Rice had allegedly stolen the firearm used in the shooting from a car in the Columbus area.
Nibarger was placed on administrative leave per Columbus Police Department protocol. Once the criminal investigation is complete, it will be turned over to the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office for review to determine whether charges will be filed.
The Columbus Police Department requested the Indiana State Police to assist with the ongoing investigation of the incident.
