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Richmond police: Standoff over, suspect shot

RICHMOND, Ind. (WISH) — A multi-hour standoff in Richmond ended after the suspect, identified as an 81-year-old man, was shot by police.

Just before 3 p.m. Thursday, Richmond Police Department officers responded to a report of shots fired in the 1800 block of Rich Road. That’s a residential area just south of the I-70/U.S. 35 interchange on the city’s northwest side.

When officers arrived, they found a 42-year-old woman who had been shot. She was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to Indiana State Police.

Police identified the suspect as 81-year-old Charles Adams, of Richmond, and found him in the house next door to the victim.

Adams barricaded himself inside the home and refused to answer when Richmond police attempted to communicate with him, police say.

“At some point during attempts by police to de-escalate the situation, Adams reportedly fired a round at police. Richmond police activated their SWAT team,” Indiana State Police said in a release.

Additional SWAT teams arrived to support officers at the scene, state police say. After additional failed attempts to communicate, police deployed tear gas in an effort to force Adams to surrender.

“Adams approached an opening and reportedly fired a round at police,” state police said.

Members of the state police SWAT team returned fire, hitting Adams at least once.

Adams was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Investigators did not say what led to the shooting of the female victim or why Adams fired at police.

The state police SWAT team members who shot at Adams have been placed on administrative leave and an internal investigation is ongoing.

The home on Rich Road in Richmond where an 81-year-old suspect fired at police, leading state police SWAT team members to open fire on May 5, 2023. (Provided Photo/ISP)