Menu
Suspect wanted in Saturday shooting
The investigation into the Central West Village shooting is keeping local law enforcement busy while they are requesting the public’s help in locating a suspect.
Brazil Assistant Police Chief Dennis Archer confirmed Thursday that Jay Samuel Ellis, 24, Reelsville, was identified during witness interviews as the shooter.
“We released his information in an attempt to locate him, and he is wanted on other charges in a separate incident,” said Archer, adding Ellis is considered armed and extremely dangerous. “He did allegedly shoot someone.”
Ellis is described as being a white male, approximately 5’1’’, 120 pounds with brown eyes and brown hair.
Ellis is currently wanted for a Felony charge of Dealing in Methamphetamine and a Felony charge of Possession of Methamphetamine issued by the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office.
Archer said anyone with information regarding Ellis’s location should call the Clay County Sheriff’s Department Dispatch Center at (812) 446-2535, ext. 5.
However, individuals should not confront Ellis.
“Public safety is the most important part,” said Archer. “All we need is for them to tell us where he is located.”
The shooting has been the focus of many BPD officers’ attention since it occurred Saturday at 9 p.m. Archer confirmed the Clay County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police, and their Crime Scene Investigators provided the BPD with assistance in the case. At one point, Archer said there were at least five locations in Clay County and more in Vigo and Putnam counties where officers had to secure other potential scenes, acquire search warrants for evidence and perform interviews.
“This has been an extensive investigation, with lots of officers involved,” said Archer, who added the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office sent out a representative to be at the scenes to help with paperwork and search warrants. “There’s a lot to do in this type of incident.”
Archer explained the investigation is being handled like a homicide because at any point the victim, suffering from a gunshot wound, could die.
The victim, according to Archer, was located after the Dispatch Center received a call about an injured man being dropped off at a local gas station. The male was transported to Union Hospital in Terre Haute for treatment and then taken to an Indianapolis hospital later. It is believed the unidentified victim has been released, but, due to HIPPA regulations, further information regarding his condition is not available at this time.
At this point, Archer said officers are actively interviewing people and tracking down leads, which could lead to more arrests.
“This isn’t like a television show where there’s an ending in an hour. This is going to take some time,” said Archer, adding the officers at the BPD are continuing to take all the incoming calls for service to the department while juggling the shooting investigation. “This type of behavior is unacceptable in our community. We will get to the truth of the matter.”