INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The man charged in the shooting death of Southport Police Lt. Aaron Allan is seeking a change of venue for his criminal case, online court documents show.
The reason for the request to move the case from Marion County to another Indiana court was not immediately known. A call to the office of Jason Brown’s attorney, Denise Turner, was not immediately returned Thursday night.
The request was made Thursday in Marion Superior Court, Criminal Division 3, where Brown is charged with murder and possession of marijuana. He made his first appearance in the court Aug. 9 after recuperating from injuries received in a crash where the shooting occurred.
Brown is accused of the July 27 shooting that occurred after he was in the crash reported about 2:38 p.m. along Madison Avenue in Homecroft. Allan was taken to Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital, where was pronounced dead at 3:25 p.m. Documents state that he sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Allan’s funeral was Aug. 5.
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SOUTHPORT, Ind (WISH) — The man charged in the shooting death of Southport Police Lt. Aaron Allan is out of the hospital and in jail.
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department released Jason Brown’s mugshot, which shows him badly injured.
Southport Police Chief Tom Vaughn held back his personal feelings when looking at Brown’s picture for the first time.
“We don’t want somebody out there who shot a police officer to be running around the street. At least we know where he’s at and let that process continue,” Vaughn said.
IMPD is handling the investigation. According to police, Brown flipped his his car after driving erratically. When Allan went to help, Brown allegedly shot him multiple times. Since the incident nearly a week and a half ago, Chief Vaughn remains tight-lipped but believes Brown was unprovoked.
“Knowing that there were other people out by that car first that had moved so that the first responders could take care of business. I don’t see that,” Vaughn said.
What he does see is a department being forced to move forward without ones of its bravest leaders. A traveling memorial in the form of a police car sits outside the department. Displayed on it are the names of fallen officers throughout the state. It’ll stay at the department for the next month. Next to it, a squad car with special tribute written across it in Allan’s honor. Noticeably missing is the makeshift memorial that started right after the shooting. Allan’s squad car had been pulled over to the side of the building, where hundreds came out to drop off cards, stuffed animals and flowers. Now, although the parking lot is empty, Allan’s memory remains.
“I came in on Monday, that’s when I would’ve seen Aaron. That’s a tough day for me,” Vaughn said Tuesday.
Brown is set to make his first court appearance at 1 p.m. Wednesday. WISH-TV reached out to both Brown and his attorney. Neither wanted to comment.
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INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Hundreds of people got a chance to pay their respects Friday to Southport Lt. Aaron Allan.
Allan was shot and killed last week while responding to a car crash. Police said the driver has been charged with murder.
The visitation Friday ran from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Crown Hill Funeral Home. People came from around Indiana and across the country, with some officers traveling from California and Texas to attend the visitation and the funeral.
Many told 24-Hour News 8 they wanted the lieutenant’s wife and children to know they are here to support the family during the days, months and years ahead.
People waited in line at Crown Hill Funeral Home on a gloomy day to pay their respects to 38-year-old Allan. For those who knew him personally, it was a tough day.
“Well, honestly guys, it’s day by day. In the morning time, I was cool. When I got here, it was difficult,” said Norman McDuffie, a reserve officer with the Southport Police Department.
McDuffie said he lost his best friend.
“A good friend of mine — he was my Monday buddy,” McDuffie said. “We talked about the Pittsburgh Steelers versus his Tampa Bay Buccaneers.”
McDuffie said Allan left him with nothing but memories, and his time with Allan is something he will never forget.
“He loved his kids, loved his wife. Let me tell you something: I know you hear this a lot, one of the best friends you could have,” he said. “Dead serious, real nice guy, so it’s hard.”
People traveled near and far to pay their respects, including Officer Johnny Barron from Fort Worth, Texas.
“I did meet the wife, Stacy, and the two little boys and let them know that I was from Fort Worth and traveled to be with her and her family and to share the grief the family is going through,” said Barron.
And the tragedy hits close to home for Officer Roy Moreno, with the Dallas police. Five of his fellow officers were killed during an ambush shooting last summer.
“I can’t put myself in the family’s shoes, but I can put myself with the other department, as far as what they’re feeling,” said Moreno. “Because that’s what we felt last July, and it’s just a void and heartbreak.”
But at the end of the day, Moreno said their job is to serve and protect, no matter what.
“Whether it be in Fort Worth or up here in Indiana, we do the same job,” said Moreno. “We serve and protect; it’s something that we love and when somebody hurts, we hurt with them.”
A celebration of life for Allan is taking place Saturday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse starting at 11 a.m.
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SOUTHPORT, Ind. (WISH) — Five days after the shooting death of Southport Police Lt. Aaron Allan, officers across the country gathered with their communities to discuss police relations and area safety.
National Night Out (NNO) began in 1984 as neighborhood front porch vigils and has evolved into an interactive festival-style atmosphere where police officers can meet and greet their community members, and communities can show support for their police departments. According to the National Association of Town Watch, the parent group for NNO, 38 million people in 16,000 communities take part in National Night Out.
In accordance with the nationally designated NNO day, Southport Police Department and the town of Homecroft held their events in the shadow of Allan’s shocking death. To honor him as they continue the NNO tradition, both groups planned special events.
Southport PD’s National Night Out was Tuesday night at the police department, 6901 Derbyshire Road, and an adjacent park and pavilion.
The group held a memorial for Allan, including a moment of silence, remembrance and prayer from a police chaplain. Allan’s squad car remained on display, covered in flowers, teddy bears, posters and handwritten notes from community members and area police departments.
Following the memorial service, the NNO hosted several youth activities including a scavenger hunt, fingerprinting and a bounce house. The department also continued the tradition of “Dunk a Cop” with Allan’s father, stepping in his son’s place in the tank. Attendees also met Justice, the police department’s mascot, learned about Southport police programs and public safety and enjoyed food catered by local restaurants.
In Homecroft, National Night was on the lawn in front of Homecroft Elementary School, 1400 E. Tulip Drive. Officers held a moment of silence for Allan and his service to their community. Officers also organized several activities for the community, including a water-balloon toss with police, games and safety demonstrations, as well as hot dogs and snacks.
Attendees at both events could donate to Lt. Allan’s family or purchase a police support decal on a donation basis. Homecroft resident Ronnie Roessler and several neighbors organized the design and printing of the decals. Roessler said his first 300 decals sold very quickly in both Homecroft and Southport, and he has raised or received pledges for more than $1,000 as of Tuesday afternoon.
Other fundraisers are underway, including a T-shirt and decal sale from Indiana Going Blue. Find those items at this link.
Allan’s visitation will be from 2-7 p.m. Friday at Crown Hill followed by a funeral at 11 a.m. Saturday.
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HOMECROFT, Ind. (WISH) — With 400 feet of royal blue ribbon, neighbors in Homecroft showed their solidarity with the Southport Police Department.
More than 100 people and first responders showed up to show their unity.
Those in the crowd didn’t necessarily know Southport Police Lt. Aaron Allan but saw and felt his presence in this tight-knit community.
And as they saw the tragedy unfolding before their eyes, neighbors in Homecroft said they had to do something. So they contacted Post Road English Garden, which blue ribbon that was draped on the lightposts Friday night.
“The more ribbon you drape, the better,” said Lisa Schwier, owner of Post Road English Garden, demonstrating how to tie a large bow with the thick material. “Do about seven loops on each side.”
“There’s so much bad in our world right now,” Schwier said. “I truly think the community coming together will show what we all really feel for our police officers.”
Schwier’s shop is on the east side of Indianapolis, but she used to operate a location near Southport. Some of her former customers gave her a call Friday morning, asking for assistance in assembling a visual memorial for slain Southport Police Department Lt. Aaron Allan.
“Of course, we just wanted to donate them to show our support for the family and all the police do for our community, whether east or south,” she said.
Schwier’s shop is also donating a plaque to Allan’s family, inscribed with the words “Fallen Hero” and a quote.
Homestead neighbor Ronnie Roessler got a similar call Thursday night.
“Once I saw his picture, my heart sank,” said Roessler, who watched the crime scene from his front porch. “This not just hit home, but literally across the street.”
He works for TKO Graphix and knew there was something he could do to help.
“Made a quick couple calls, came in at 6 o’ clock this morning and it was already being produced,” he said.
The “it” are 300 police support decals, featuring an American flag with a blue stripe, and the phrase “#SouthportStrong #HomecroftStrong.” Roessler said 100 percent of the donation proceeds from the community family will go to Allan’s family.
“I just want to raise as much money as possible for the officer’s family,” he said.
Schwier and Roessler didn’t know Allan personally, but they said they know their community.
“I just think the families need to know how much we support the police department and what they do,” Schwier said.
“We all come together. It’s just what we do,” Roessler said. “It’s how we’re raised.”
The decals were available for donation-only purchase Friday night in the 6000 block of Madison Avenue in Southport.
Already, tens of thousands of dollars have been raised for Lt. Allan’s family.
Among those gathering Friday night was Southport Police Chief Thomas Vaughn, who told 24-Hour News 8 the number of kids in the crowd meant a lot. He says the department tries to keep a good relationship with the youth in the community, and it was reassuring to see so many families out to keep the police department strong.
If you’d like to contribute to the GoFundMe, click here.
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INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Voices from across the nation joined ones in Indiana on social media to offer condolences and grieve the fatal shooting of a Southport Police Department lieutenant in the line of duty.
Investigators said Lt. Aaron Allan was responding to a crash when someone inside the car opened fire and fatally shot him. He was 38. One of the two people inside the car was shot by other police officers and the other person was injured in the crash. Both people, identified as suspects, were sent to Eskenazi Hospital with injuries that were not considered to be life-threatening.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett released this statement:
Today, Lieutenant Aaron Allan was doing what officers do each day: responding to the scene of an accident ready to help someone in their time of need. His death is a shocking and tragic reminder of the difficult, often dangerous work of police officers across Marion County. Together, our community grieves for the Allan family and for all the men and women who risk their lives on a daily basis to protect our city and its citizens.”
Gov. Eric Holcomb released the following statement, via Twitter:
My thoughts & prayers remain with the families, friends, and our law enforcement community as we mourn the loss of two public safety servants. Our officers are true Hoosier heroes and deserve our support now and always.”
The governor’s tweet referred not only to Allan, but also to IMPD Deputy Chief James Waters, who died Thursday afternoon at IU Health Methodist Hospital after he was in a car crash on I-70 on Sunday.
U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly, a Democrat from Indiana, issued this statement:
My deepest condolences and prayers go to the family of Southport Police Lieutenant Aaron Allan, and to the entire Southport Police Department, as they confront this tragedy. Every day, law enforcement officers across Indiana and our country go to work to protect our families and communities. May we honor Lt. Allan’s memory and service to his community and our state.”
The New York Police Department tweeted a photo of Allan and said:
Our prayers are with the @SouthportPD & family of Lt. Aaron Allan who was shot & killed in the line of duty today. We will
#NeverForget.
City-Council President Maggie A. Lewis issued this statement.
Today is a sad day in our community as we have lost another public safety official. Our prayers are with the family of Lt. Aaron Allan of the Southport Police Department who lost his life while serving in the line of duty. I encourage us all to say an extra prayer tonight for all of our first responders as they cope with the tragic loss of their fellow officers.”
FOP President, Rick Snyder, issued this statement:
The Indianapolis Policing community is simply heartbroken by the tragic loss of Lieutenant Aaron Allan. Lt. Allan leaves a loving family, friends and his sisters and brothers of the Southport PD and the entire Indianapolis police community. Aaron made the ultimate sacrifice while actively trying to render help to his fellow man in need. There is no greater sacrifice and our entire community is now absorbing the impact of such a tragic event.
The Fraternal Order of Police has activated the Indiana FOP Critical Incident team and stands ready to support the Allan family and Aaron’s extended law enforcement family on this journey to ensure they will not walk alone.”
Fishers Police Department tweeted:
Our condolences go to Lt. Aaron Allan’s family & the Southport Police Dept. Lt. Allan was shot & killed on duty today. We grieve with you.”
Here are some other messages on Twitter:
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SOUTHPORT, Ind. (WISH) — On Thursday night, officers and community members stopped by the Southport Police Department to pay their respects.
People gathered outside and inside the building — all talking about slain police Lt. Aaron Allan. Police said the initial call came in Thursday afternoon for a property-damage accident. Allan and a Homecroft officer were first on scene. The two officers approached an overturned car. That’s when police say someone inside started shooting at officers, hitting Allan. He was pronounced dead a short time later at Eskenazi.
Some witness said they heard as many as 20 shots fired.
At the scene, along Madison Avenue in the Marion County city of Homecroft, dozens of squad cars lined the streets: Southport police, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Indiana State Police and even an officer from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. They spent more than six hours processing the area, even working through rain at times.
The crime scene turned very somber as neighbors started to learn what happened. They said they know many of the Southport and Homecroft officers. The say police in the area really take time to get to know the community they serve.
Southport Police Chief Thomas Vaughn said Allan became a full-time officer with the department in January. Before that, was a reserve officer with Southport and worked for Franklin Township School Police. He worked in the high school there and spent a lot of time interacting with youth.
“You show up to a vehicle accident and I don’t want to say we let our guard down, but that’s not what we are looking for. We are looking to help that person in the car. It is hard to imagine why this incident happened when he was there to help that person who was in that accident,” Vaughn said.
Southport Mayor Russell McClure said, “This is something that you just can’t imagine. I’m still not processing it all the way yet. The next few coming days we will be and I told the officers I’ll be here for them. The city will do everything it can for the family of Lt. Allan.”
The mayor said IMPD is stepping in to help cover shifts and patrols during this difficult time.
“I can’t think of anybody better that we could have had on the force. We have another 40 officers that would do the same thing he did, so it’s one big family here,” the Southport mayor said.
The police chief says Allan has saved the lives of two people during his career as a police officer.
Why one of the people in the car started firing shots is still unclear. Both men were taken to the hospital; one was injured in the crash and the other injured when officers returned fire. Both are expected to survived. Their names and ages have not yet been released.
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INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — More than 400 law enforcement personnel have died in the line of duty in Indiana, 25 of those since 2007, the Officer Down Memorial Page has recorded.
The page says 427 law enforcement personnel have died in Indiana in the line of duty. The group’s website lists personnel who died on duty since the 1790s. On Thursday night, the Virginia-based group’s home page featured a photo of Southport Police Department Lt. Aaron Allan, Indiana’s first death of an on-duty law enforcement officer this year. He was shot while responding to a crash Thursday afternoon.
The Officer Down Memorial Page is a nonprofit. It has recorded more than 22,000 police officer deaths since 1971.
Since 2007, 24 police officers and two correctional officers have died on duty in Indiana, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page:
Lt. Aaron Allan: Southport Police Department, July 27, 2017. Cause of death: gunfire.
Deputy Sheriff Carl Allen Koontz: Howard County Sheriff’s Office, March 20, 2016. Cause of death: gunfire.
Deputy Sheriff Jacob Daniel Calvin: Tipton County Sheriff’s Office, June 28, 2014. Cause of Death: automobile crash.
Officer Perry Wayne Renn: Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, July 5, 2014. Cause of death: gunfire.
Patrolman Jeffrey Brady Westerfield: Gary Police Department, July 6, 2014. Cause of Death: gunfire.
Patrolman II Nickolaus Edward Schultz: Merrillville Police Department, Sept. 7, 2014. Cause of death: gunfire.
Police Officer Rod Lee Bradway: Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Sept. 20, 2013. Cause of death: gunfire.
Corrections Officer Britney Rachelle Meux: Lake County Sheriff’s Department, March 6, 2012. Cause of death: vehicular assault.
Correctional Officer Timothy A. Betts: Indiana Department of Correction, Aug. 26, 2012. Cause of death: heart attack.
Officer David Spencer Moore: Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Jan. 26, 2011. Cause of death: gunfire.
Police Officer Brent Daniel Long: Terre Haute Police Department, July 11, 2011. Cause of death: gunfire.
Cpl. James John Szuba: Mishawaka Police Department, Jan. 9, 2010. Cause of death: vehicular assault.
Police Officer William Edward “Will” Phillips III: Greenfield Police Department, Sept. 30, 2010. Cause of death: vehicular assault.
Patrol Detective Justin Clyde Mullis: French Lick Police Department, April 29, 2009. Cause of death: motorcycle crash.
Sgt. Jeffery Bryant Shaw: Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, Nov. 12, 2009. Cause of death: automobile crash
Deputy Sheriff Roy Bruce Sutton Jr.: Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, Dec. 11, 2009. Cause of death: automobile crash.
Trooper Daniel Roy Barrett: Indiana State Police, Jan. 27, 2008. Cause of death: Automobile crash.
Deputy Sheriff Sarah Irene Haylett-Jones: Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Oct. 19, 2008. Cause of death: struck by vehicle.
Cpl. Nick Samuel Polizzotto: South Bend Police Department, April 24, 2007. Cause of death: gunfire.
Town Marshal Louis Dixon Beam: Cayuga Town Marshal’s Office, May 14, 2007. Cause of Death: accidental.
Officer Frank Charles Denzinger: Floyd County Sheriff’s Office, June 18, 2007. Cause of Death: gunfire.
Master Trooper David Edward Rich: Indiana State Police, July 5, 2007. Cause of death: gunfire.
Patrolman Benjamin “BJ” Wilcher Jr.: Gary Police Department, Aug. 12, 2007. Cause of death: vehicle pursuit.
Deputy Sheriff Enrico Aquino Garcia Jr.: Vigo County Sheriff’s Office, Sept. 23, 2007. Cause of death: heart attack.
Sgt. Gary Wayne Henderson: Shelbyville Police Department, Oct. 10, 2007. Cause of death: accidental.