Fleeing murder suspect prompts school lockdowns

FISHERS, Ind. (WISH) - Several schools in Fishers were locked down for about an hour and a half – though the school day was over – as police in Hamilton County searched for a murder suspect who ran from officers around 96th Street and Allisonville Road on Wednesday afternoon.

Officers spotted the suspect and chased him into a house in the area, police said, but he got away.

Riverside Junior High School, Riverside Intermediate School and Trinity Wesleyan Childcare were all put on lockdown shortly after 4 p.m. Wednesday. The lockdown order was lifted shortly before 5:30 p.m., as police called off their intensive search for the suspect, as it was believed the suspect likely left the scene in a vehicle.

Wednesday evening, the wider search was continuing.

"This is very unsettling," said Fishers resident Brenda Manley.

Chopper 8 flew over the scene of the intense manhunt in Fishers. Wednesday afternoon U.S. Marshals called Fishers Police to assist.

"When we arrived here at the school, Ms. Jennifer met, was speaking with all the parents as we came in, just let us know about the lockdown," said Kim Raiford, Fishers, referring to Trinity Wesleyan Childcare Director Jennifer Kitterman
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"The Fishers Police Dept. called us about 4 o'clock to let us know there was a manhunt in the area," Kitterman said.

While the center was in the middle of the search area, Kitterman said she wasn't too concerned.

"We already have those measures in place, so we are on lockdown 24/7 already, but of course monitored anybody that would enter, and we encourage our parents not to exit until that had been lifted," she said.

Police lifted the lockdown after 5:30; that's about the time Manley picked up her daughter.

"I didn't know, hear of this or learn of this during the day. Obviously, I'm in meetings all day, but I'm very uncomfortable," she said.

Manley canceled her evening plans to stay home.

Kitterman informed other parents of the situation as they arrived to pick up their children; she's also advised them to proceed with caution.

"As far as we know, this person has not been found, and so again, just for everyone to be on the lookout and be cautious in the parking lots and in this area," Ketterman said.

Fishers Police could not say much about the case, other than that they were assisting the U.S. Marshals on the search. Investigators believe the suspect left the scene in a vehicle and headed out of the area.