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Man shot while allegedly brandishing weapon at deputy

Friday, January 13, 2017 ~ Updated 6:54 PM
By JARED JERNAGAN, Assistant Editor
Indiana State Police investigate the scene Friday morning at 6400 N. CR 490 East, where a police-action shooting took place late Thursday. Three Putnam County Sheriff’s Department deputies were on the scene investigating a domestic incident. They were greeted at a lower-level door by 35-year-old Adam Wagner, who was reportedly pointing a handgun at Special Deputy Ian Zeffel. Deputy Jeffery Freeman shot Wagner twice in the torso and the suspect was airlifted to Methodist Hospital, where he was in stable but critical condition late Friday morning.
Banner Graphic/JARED JERNAGAN

Suspect subsequently airlifted to Indianapolis

MORTON — A 35-year-old man was shot twice in the torso late Thursday evening as he was allegedly brandishing a firearm at a Putnam County Sheriff’s Department special deputy.

The suspect, Adam B. Wagner, was airlifted to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. Indiana State Police Sgt. Joe Watts reported late Friday morning that Wagner was undergoing extensive treatment and was in stable but critical condition.

At 11:18 p.m., deputies Anthony Brown and Jeffery Freeman, along with Special Deputy Ian Zeffel, responded to a 911 call at 6400 N. CR 490 West, south of Morton, of a girlfriend reporting a domestic disturbance with her live-in boyfriend.

Minutes later, deputies met with the female victim at a neighbor’s residence just north of her own home. She had fled her home seeking help.

During conversations with the female victim, deputies noticed what appeared to be signs indicative of a battery victim.

To follow-up on the allegations, deputies went to the 6400 N. 490 West residence to investigate.

At the home, the three deputies knocked on the doors to the residence and were met at a southern lower level door by the suspect, who was reported to be brandishing a handgun at Zeffel.

At this time, Freeman fired two rounds from his service weapon, striking Wagner twice in the torso. Neither Brown nor Zeffel discharged their weapons.

Wagner was initially treated by Putnam County Operation Life paramedics and later airlifted to Indianapolis.

None of the deputies were injured. Freeman, 21, is a nine-month member of the department and a recent graduate of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.

Brown, 32, has been with PCSD for 16 months, while Zeffel, 22, has been with he agency for about six weeks.

Indiana State Police were called in to investigate the incident. Watts reported that many interviews related to the case are ongoing.

The female involved and Wagner have three-year-old twins together and the children were in the home at the time of the incident. Mother and children are reportedly doing well.

The suspect’s weapon appears to be a replica 1911 semi-auto handgun; however, to determine the exact specifications of the weapon, it will be examined by the ISP Laboratory.

The lead investigator is ISP Det. Don Curtis. Assisting are ISP detectives 1Sgt. Jason Fajt, Det. Don Anglin and Det. Mike Featherling, along with Sgt. Cory Robinson. PCSD Chief Deputy Phil Parker and other deputies are also helping with the investigation.

Upon completion of the ISP investigation, which will be a few days, the report will be submitted to Putnam County Prosecutor Tim Bookwalter for review of the incident and any potential charges.

As is standard protocol following police-action shootings, Freeman has been placed on administrative support duty for the time being.

Zeffel and Brown have returned to their regular duties.

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  • What great role models for their children.

    -- Posted by Queen53 on Fri, Jan 13, 2017, at 7:41 AM

  • It is sad that there are children involved. Prayers to all involved for a positive outcome.

    -- Posted by BGTeach on Fri, Jan 13, 2017, at 8:07 AM

  • Please be considerate to all involved and family members

    -- Posted by GRNT on Fri, Jan 13, 2017, at 11:04 AM

  • While what the victim done was totally wrong did he fire his gun or state he was going to? It just seems that the officers on scene where all fairly new. Why was there not a more experienced officer on scene with them? I also hope the kids were not close enough to see it go down. All the violence in this world is sickening!

    -- Posted by putnamcountyproud on Fri, Jan 13, 2017, at 12:09 PM

  • Really? You expect the officers to wait for the guy to shoot? Young officers don't get to become older, experienced officers by waiting to see if the guy pointing a gun at them or a fellow officer "really means it" or is just bluffing. I am truly sorry it came to this, but he left the officers no choice.

    -- Posted by Geologist on Fri, Jan 13, 2017, at 1:47 PM

  • I agree with Volunteer FF. The man, after assulting his girlfriend comes to the door with a gun. That to me means he was armed and dangerous! We have had enough police officers killed.

    -- Posted by interested party on Fri, Jan 13, 2017, at 2:00 PM

  • Allegedly...the girlfriend is NOT innocent.

    -- Posted by kbmom on Fri, Jan 13, 2017, at 2:40 PM

  • Get real people! The guy is brandishing his gun at the police, why is that suppose to be ok just because he didnt shoot? The police have a job to do and they were called because a woman was being beaten were the police suppose to show up with lollipops for the guy? Police deserve the up most respect and people need to give it to them! Way to go officers! Thank you for protecting yourselves, the lady, the kids and others around them!

    -- Posted by jaaala on Fri, Jan 13, 2017, at 4:50 PM

  • Why didn't Zeffel fire? The investigators at the state police are great they will find out what happened. I am curious of Freeman's view. Hope Adam recovers for the sake of all the children. No child should be subject to not being able to at least visit with their Father.

    -- Posted by farmer on Fri, Jan 13, 2017, at 8:25 PM

  • The guy is standing in the doorway with a gun in his hand while the officer approaches. The officer did the right thing. Wagner is obviously unstable since he was involved in a domestic dispute then comes to the door with a gun. I sure wouldn't want to live next door to this idiot.

    -- Posted by Queen53 on Fri, Jan 13, 2017, at 9:07 PM

  • Who is his daddy and what does he do?

    -- Posted by DetectiveJohnKimble on Fri, Jan 13, 2017, at 9:34 PM

  • I had a lot to say, after reading comments from "hithardbypcsd." However, after contemplation, I won't drop myself to the level of an absolute idiot. You have no idea what it's like to make a split second, life changing decision, as law enforcement does. You're misinformed. I personally know the deputy and the victim. You're awfully quick to judge. People like you are repulsive. You love to pedal your controversial propaganda, like certain news media channels, to get a response. Also, your grammar and punctuation suck. No need for a response on your part.

    -- Posted by BrutallyHonest on Sat, Jan 14, 2017, at 12:06 AM

  • I'm praying for all involved in this situation. Please remember Adam has family out there please be respectful of them. I know his mom and dad and sister's need some prayers right now. I no this this family for many years I'm not making excuses for what Adam did and the officer was doing his job. I would never be afraid to be his neighbor actually I am. And I'v seen him with his boys they love him for he is a good dad. But nobody knows for sure what went down inside that house except Adam and his girlfriend so please when making comments remember his family is reading these comments . PRAYING FOR ADAM,THE TWIN BOYS HIS MOM,DAD,SISTERS AND OFFICER FREEMAN.

    -- Posted by Laflef on Sat, Jan 14, 2017, at 5:11 AM

  • I agree....hithardbypcsd definitely has a grudge against law enforcement. Plus the fact he sounds totally ignorant. He does not know the real facts and obviously just wants to "cheap shot" the police.

    -- Posted by Queen53 on Sat, Jan 14, 2017, at 8:32 AM

  • Unlike you Queen53 who also does not know the real facts but took a cheap shot at Wagner. SMH

    -- Posted by kbmom on Sat, Jan 14, 2017, at 9:05 AM

  • Wow

    -- Posted by Laflef on Sat, Jan 14, 2017, at 9:24 AM

  • Well kbmom, I don't think I made a cheap shot. Anyone who comes to the door with a gun in his hand should be considered dangerous. Obviously you don't know the facts.

    -- Posted by Queen53 on Sat, Jan 14, 2017, at 11:15 AM

  • Stop whining! You kids are soft. You lack discipline!

    -- Posted by DetectiveJohnKimble on Sat, Jan 14, 2017, at 11:33 AM

  • Bah ha ha @ Queen53.... idiot. I don't comment on things I don't know about. I might be vague for good reason. Your cheap shot was at not wanting to be his neighbor... you obviously are the one without facts. Now I'm done on here. Going to say prayers and be thankful everyone is alive... Wagner and the officers involved. All have families to take care of at the end of the day.

    -- Posted by kbmom on Sat, Jan 14, 2017, at 1:37 PM

  • Bah ha ha @ Queen53 Idiot. I don't comment on things I don't know about. Maybe I have good reason for staying vague. You seem to be the one without facts taking your cheap shot about not wanting to be his neighbor. Now, I'm finished on here. I'm going to say prayers And be thankful no one was killed during this incident. Wagner and the officers, each have families to take care of at the end of the day.

    Detective Kimble... who are you to question who is his daddy and what does he do?? Stupid comment sir.

    -- Posted by kbmom on Sat, Jan 14, 2017, at 1:46 PM

  • There are a few things to consider here....I live in the country, if someone knocks on my door in the middle of the night I'm probably going to show up with a gun. Not with the intent of harming someone, but to protect my family. I do not know what went on at that moment and I am not saying Adam is innocent or that the deputies are guilty, they did what they felt they had to do to protect their own. I'm also going to throw out there that not everyone who claims to be a "victim" is. Everyone needs to keep an open mind and pray for all involved.

    -- Posted by cantbelieveit on Sat, Jan 14, 2017, at 2:30 PM

  • Well said cantbelieveit

    -- Posted by Laflef on Sat, Jan 14, 2017, at 2:47 PM

  • I can't believe this has happened to him i am personally close to Adam and I hope he recovers soon. Adam is a good guy and he didn't deserve this .

    -- Posted by Stfu234 on Sat, Jan 14, 2017, at 3:52 PM

  • Also for anyone who doesn't know what replica means, as it pertains to a firearm, it means it's not a real gun. It cannot shoot.

    -- Posted by Jdouble on Sun, Jan 15, 2017, at 12:28 PM

  • If i am not correct and I am pretty sure but the Deputy should have accessed the situation and then made a decision. Yeah sure the police are responding to a Domestic. That in in itself doesnt mean the agents of the law should instinctively discharge their firearm. This person had a knock at the door in the middle of the night. This is his home if i recall. All of it seems a bit shady. I mean if you think a person who apparently is legal to have a firearm doesnt have the right to protect his/her home then you too are the same person that wants to remove our right to own a firearm. Odds are he "the deputy" will need to do more training as the general rule is not to shoot first and asks questions later.

    -- Posted by Oh My Goodness on Tue, Jan 17, 2017, at 12:49 PM

  • As I was awakened with this news on Friday morning, I immediately began reading each article that I could find. This is an ongoing investigation, but I have no doubts that Dep. Freeman acted appropriate.

    A) regardless if the weapon brandished is real, replica, or a toy, an officer does not have the time to make that determination when lives are at stake.

    B) I have no doubts that Dep. Freeman ordered the suspect to drop his weapon, before shooting the suspect.

    C) Stating that the man answered his door in the middle of the night with a gun is justified is not accurate -

    1) Pretty sure the pretty lights on top of the cars in his driveway gave away that it wasn't an intruder.

    2) The officers were at the front door, the suspect emerged from a downstairs back door.

    3) Given that the incident occured shortly before the officers arrived, I'm sure he wasn't sleeping.

    D) Every person knows the potential consequences for pointing a gun at an officer.

    E) All law enforcement officers are highly trained in this field, regardless of how long they have been on the department.

    F) If you are not law enforcement, and do not know the training involved of how to handle these types of situations, then do your research before making comments regarding the training they endure.

    Much like a firefighter is trained to secure their safety before that of others, so is each law enforcement officer. A firefighter is not going to enter a burning building that is about to collapse anymore than a police officer is going to wait to be shot at by a suspect to see if the weapon is real, replica, toy, loaded or unloaded.

    We have lost far to many law enforcement officers recently for them to wait for the weapon to be discharged before returning fire.

    The best thing here is to remember that these men and women place their lives on the line each and every day to protect all of us, the least we can all do is support them!

    -- Posted by MontanasupportsPCSD on Wed, Jan 18, 2017, at 12:20 PM
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