Victim flown from motorcycle mishap scene had been shot, GPD says

What authorities had originally presumed was a serious motorcycle accident is now being investigated as a shooting, Greencastle City Police reported Friday afternoon.

Investigating an incident that occurred at approximately 11:20 p.m. Tuesday, city units were dispatched to what was reported as a serious motorcycle accident on Frazier Street, just east of U.S. 231 on Greencastle's North Side, City Police Chief Tom Sutherlin told the Banner Graphic.

"It started out as a serious motorcycle accident, and that's how we worked it," Sutherlin noted Friday.

The male victim, whose name has not been released due to the serious nature of the incident and the ongoing investigation, was discovered lying in the roadway, suffering from severe head trauma.

The victim was transported from the scene to an Indianapolis hospital by StatFlight helicopter, ostensibly with serious injuries caused by a vehicular accident.

"We didn't find out that he had suffered a gunshot wound until he got to the hospital," Sutherlin said. "That's not what we were expecting."

A medical staff member from the hospital advised GPD officers -- Det. Capt. Mike Collins and Det. Matt Huffman -- that the motorcycle victim had been shot and was listed in critical condition.

With it being an ongoing investigation, Chief Sutherlin said, no other information is being released at this time.

"We're trying to figure out the real story," Chief Sutherlin added. "We've heard a couple versions."

GPD officers are continuing to interview people in the case, he said, and anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to call 653-2925 and ask for Det. Collins.

City Police are being assisted by the Putnam County Sheriff's Department and Det. Doug Nally.