Trooper involved in fatal police action shooting in Montgomery County
LINDEN -- An Indiana State Police trooper was involved in a fatal police action shooting Friday in Montgomery County.
At approximately 3:45 p.m. Friday an Indiana State Police officer stopped and checked a black 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe that appeared abandoned along the side of U.S. 231 northbound near County Road 550 North in Montgomery County.
The vehicle was off the travel portion of the highway near North Montgomery High School, so after checking for occupants, the trooper tagged the vehicle (tagged is a term used to advise other law enforcement officers that the vehicle has been checked) and proceeded on his normal patrol.
At approximately 6:30 p.m. the same trooper was driving southbound by the Tahoe he had tagged earlier that afternoon and saw that a second car, a white 2018 Dodge Charger, had pulled up in front of the Tahoe.
A subject, later identified as Glenn A. Rightsell, 56, of Linden, was at the front of the vehicle with the hood open. The Tahoe was later reported to be his daughter’s vehicle.
The trooper noticed a handgun on the waist of Rightsell as he pulled around behind the Tahoe and parked with his emergency lights and spotlight on to investigate circumstances of why the second vehicle was there.
As the trooper approached from the driver’s side of the Tahoe, he identified himself as a law enforcement officer and gave verbal commands to Rightsell, who reportedly failed to comply with the directions and allegedly grabbed the gun on his waist, at which time the trooper drew his sidearm and fired upon Rightsell, striking him at least once.
The trooper retreated back to his police vehicle where he advised Region 1 Radio that shots were fired and requested assistance.
Montgomery County deputies arrived and when the scene was made safe, first aid was rendered to Rightsell and he was transported by ambulance to Franciscan Hospital in Crawfordsville where he succumbed to his injuries.
A complete investigation will be conducted by the Indiana State Police and the report will be forwarded to Montgomery County Prosecutor Joseph Buser for review. Family of Rightsell has been notified.
The trooper’s name will be released at a later date, State Police said.
Assisting at the scene were the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department, Crawfordsville Police Department, Linden Town Marshal, Crawfordsville EMS, Indiana State Police Crime Scene Investigators, Indiana State Police detectives and troopers from the Indiana State Police Lafayette Post.