VIGO COUNTY, Ind – Indiana State Police are investigating the death of a veteran Terre Haute Police Officer and a homicide suspect.

It happened during an exchange of gunfire around 6:30 Friday evening at an apartment building on Linwood Street in the Garden Quarter Apartment Complex in southern Vigo County.

Investigators say that Terre Haute Police Officers were investigating an early Friday afternoon homicide on south 18th Street and as their investigation progressed, information led four of their officers to a potential suspect in the Garden Quarter complex.

When officers encountered the male suspect near the front door of the two-story building, the suspect fired upon the officers from an elevated position on the second floor. Terre Haute Police Officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect. The veteran officer was rushed to Terre Haute Regional Hospital where died as a result of his injuries.

The suspect held officers in a standoff until about 9:15p.m. when members of the Terre Haute Police Department SWAT team entered the apartment building and located the suspect on the second floor hallway. The suspect succumbed to his wounds as well. 

Police say that their investigation is continuing at the two separate scenes.

Autopsies are scheduled for Saturday.

‪Several churches have planned a prayer vigil for Saturday evening at 6p. The event will be held at the Vigo County Courthouse.