Deputies Identified in Vanderburgh County Shooting
By: Michael C. Fehn
Updated: December 4, 2012
The Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office has identified the deputies involved in Tuesday's fatal shooting on Short Selzer Road.
Deputies Kevin Hertweck and Tony Toopes were called to the home of 55-year-old, Lindal Johnson, just after 1:00 Tuesday morning.
The deputies went to the home at the request of the Evansville Police Department, which had been investigating a case of criminal mischief at the Marathon Gas Station on Broadway Avenue. Someone at the gas station told police officers that Johnson smashed a window in his car with a golf club. After learning the alleged incident happened on Short Selzer Road, outside of the city limits, deputies were called to investigate further.
Once there, deputies Hertweck and Toopes began talking to Johnson. During their conversation, the deputies say Johnson started to get agitated and aggressive, and at one point, they say he started attacking them with a variety of objects, including a hatchet.
The deputies say they tried, unsuccessfully, to control Johnson with their tasers, and eventually, both fired their weapons, killing him.
Autopsy results from the Vanderburgh County Coroner's Office confirm Johnson died of a gunshot wound to the chest. Deputies Hertweck and Toopes have been temporarily relieved of duty while the investigation into the shooting continues.
We are continuing to follow developments in this case, and will bring you new information as we receive it.
Deputies Kevin Hertweck and Tony Toopes were called to the home of 55-year-old, Lindal Johnson, just after 1:00 Tuesday morning.
The deputies went to the home at the request of the Evansville Police Department, which had been investigating a case of criminal mischief at the Marathon Gas Station on Broadway Avenue. Someone at the gas station told police officers that Johnson smashed a window in his car with a golf club. After learning the alleged incident happened on Short Selzer Road, outside of the city limits, deputies were called to investigate further.
Once there, deputies Hertweck and Toopes began talking to Johnson. During their conversation, the deputies say Johnson started to get agitated and aggressive, and at one point, they say he started attacking them with a variety of objects, including a hatchet.
The deputies say they tried, unsuccessfully, to control Johnson with their tasers, and eventually, both fired their weapons, killing him.
Autopsy results from the Vanderburgh County Coroner's Office confirm Johnson died of a gunshot wound to the chest. Deputies Hertweck and Toopes have been temporarily relieved of duty while the investigation into the shooting continues.
We are continuing to follow developments in this case, and will bring you new information as we receive it.
Comments
it is bs. why did they take a kill shot, they could of wounded him. they new he had a histoy. they could of handled it better. they sign up for that job, they get paid to their do job. but it makes you wonder if it was you how would it be handled.
Stacy B.
December 4, 2012 at 10:11 pm
it is bs. why did they take a kill shot, they could of wounded him. they new he had a histoy. they could of handle it better. they sign up for that job, they get paid to their job. but it makes you wonder if it you how would it be handled.
Stacy B.
December 4, 2012 at 10:10 pm
