A Muncie police officer was dragged from a van while investigating possible drug suspects Friday.
Officers stopped a van near Elgin Manor Apartments around 3 p.m. Friday. They were assisted by a Muncie Police narcotics officer, who observed unusual activity inside the vehicle.
As the officer tried to open the passenger-side door to get the passenger out of the vehicle, the driver of the van accelerated. Still holding onto the van, the officer was dragged nearly 300 feet.
As he was being dragged, the officer fired his gun at the suspects in the van before being flung from the moving vehicle.
The driver of the van was struck by the officer's gunfire, but continued to flee. He jumped from the van in the 2200 block of N. Turner Street, but was apprehended a short distance away. He was taken to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Two other suspects also jumped from the moving van and ran off, but were caught a short time later. They were treated for injuries they suffered from jumping out of the van.
The officer was taken to the hospital to be treated for broken bones and "road burn." He was later released.
State police continue to investigate the incident.
On Saturday, a group met at the Muncie Unity Center with a push for peace.
They are getting some help from the Indianapolis Ten Point Coalition on how to tackle the problem, especially gun violence.
“The most important part is street engagement, getting residents to go out in the neighborhoods where they are having the problem with youth criminal activity and gun violence and doing a couple of things like building a relationship with the youth and number two, how do you redirect their lives so that they are on a successful path,” said Rev. Charles Harrison with the coalition.
Leaders in Muncie aren't wasting any time.
While they form that group, they are planning for the summer.
Nearly 500 children will attend summer camp at the Unity Center, nearly double that of last year.
The mayor also just announced money will be set aside for a summer job program for young men in the community.
“This is a city that I've known all my life, and it's been a place where people come and raise their children and people can retire, you can let your kids go out and play and everybody knows one another,” said Unity Center Board President Tonika Steans.
It's the hope that all of these efforts will keep that quality of life for everyone.
