Video captures suspect firing shots at Westfield officers before manhunt

WESTFIELD, Ind. -Video from a home surveillance camera shows the moment a gunman took aim at Westfield police officers, launching an hours-long manhunt Tuesday afternoon.




The ordeal began as police chased a suspect down Dan Patch Lane, a quiet neighborhood street that led them to a random home where the suspect crashed his car into a ditch and opened fire at officers.




"The camera footage shows that as soon as the officers stopped, got out, and asked him to put his hands up - that was when he fired the three shots," explained Jason Webster, the property owner.




Webster came home to find his property surrounded by yellow tape, police and an active manhunt. The suspect had taken off along the tree line after Webster's Ring camera captured a close call for the first two responding officers.




"One of them [bullets] hit the side of my trailer and the diamond plating here actually stopped it from coming through, so they think that may have actually saved the officer's life," Webster said. "I don't know if you could be proud of a trailer but awesome, I'm so glad nobody was hurt."




The suspect himself isn't visible, but the video shows officers asking to see his hands before and after he fired three shots in their direction. The officers take cover, then one of them runs toward the danger - never returning fire.




"I'm glad they chose to be cautious because that could've potentially hit a lot of other people and vehicles on the highway," said Webster, whose property sits directly next to US 31.




Westfield police say the suspect, 25-year-old John Holden, refused to pull over for a traffic stop, and the chase started. He then disappeared, triggering an extensive search of the area, during which neighbors were told to lock their doors and stay inside until police tracked Holden to a nearby field two and a half hours later, still armed.

"For the safety of our officers and the community, we will continue to withhold certain operational details at this time," Westfield Assistant Police Chief Billy Adams told reporters Tuesday.




Adams referred FOX59/CBS4's questions to the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office, but shared the following written statement:

"We understand this was a terrifying situation for the entire community. A person made the decision to flee from police, fire at officers, and run through a quiet Westfield neighborhood, putting lives at risk. We want to assure our residents that our officers train for these scenarios and acted quickly to protect the public. We're incredibly thankful that no one was hurt and that this ended with the suspect in custody. Our officers showed courage and restraint in the face of real danger, and we're proud of their response. We also want to thank our community - your cooperation, support, and trust mean everything to us. We know this shook people up, and we take that to heart. Keeping Westfield safe isn't just a job - it's a promise we make every day." 

Assistant Police Chief Billy Adams

The department also updated the public after learning the initiating officer sustained a non-life-threatening injury to his hand during the gunfire, but was treated and released on scene.




"Honestly, I think as crazy as the situation was, it ended as well as we could've asked for," Webster added.




Online jail records show John Holden was preliminarily charged with several felonies, including attempted murder and resisting police. Formal charges have yet to be filed, as the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office asked for a 72-hour hold.





via: https://fox59.com/news/indycrime/video-captures-suspect-firing-shots-at-westfield-officers-before-manhunt/