Traffic stop results in self-inflicted injury

A traffic stop Monday morning by the Greencastle Police Department resulted in a motorist being rushed to the hospital with an injury. 

According to Greencastle Police assistant chief Ed Wilson, Greencastle police officer Justin Herd initiated a traffic stop on State Road 240 shortly after midnight Monday. The stop turned into a driving while intoxicated investigation. While Herd was speaking with the male driver, the officer noticed the driver brandished a handgun while remaining seated inside the car. 

Wilson said Herd took cover, attempted to de-escalate the situation and began to order the driver to put the gun away. However, the driver did not comply and instead turned the gun on himself, firing one shot and injuring himself. No shots were fired by Greencastle Police and the driver was transported from the scene. The Greencastle Police Department was assisted by the DePauw University Police and the Putnam County Sheriff's Office. 

"A review of body camera footage determined that Officer Herd acted accordingly. Although this is a horrible situation, we are pleased with Officer Herd's decision making during this tense, uncertain and rapidly evolving event. Our thoughts are with the driver and his family at this time," Wilson said. 

Wilson pointed to the training the Greencastle Police Department and its officers undertake in preparing for incidents. 

"The Greencastle Police Department holds its officer's training at a high standard in preparation of unfortunate incidents such as these," Wilson said.