Owen County deputy stable after shooting during welfare check; suspect in custody

An Owen County deputy is in stable condition after being shot Friday, and a suspect is in custody, Indiana State Police said.

The Owen County Sheriff’s Office posted on social media that the department was dealing with a “criminal incident” around 4 p.m. on Texas Pike just north of Manhattan Road. That location is about 2 miles north of Spencer. The office told residents to shelter in place and report any suspicious people.

Indiana State Police Sgt. Matt Ames told WRTV the deputy responded to a home to perform a welfare check around 3:30 p.m.

The Owen County Probation Department had requested the welfare check on 58-year-old Wendell L. Hart after he missed his scheduled appointment earlier that day.

When the deputy arrived at Hart’s residence on the 4000 block near Texas Pike, Hart fired shots in the deputy’s direction.

The deputy immediately called for assistance, and when other officers arrived at the scene, Hart once again fired his weapon in the direction of the arriving officers. An Owen County Deputy was then struck by this gunfire, and officers returned fire.

Ames said the deputy who was shot, has been with the department for nearly 12 years. He was airlifted to a hospital in Indianapolis, and is currently in stable condition.

Hart barricaded himself in his residence after the shooting. The Indiana State Police SWAT team was activated along with hostage negotiators. After approximately two hours of negotiations, Hart surrendered and was taken into custody.

Ames said, “This is a very serious situation. Any time that we’re putting our uniform on, we know we are putting ourselves in harm for the public.”

“What we ask now is for the public just to take a moment of silence, say a little prayer for the deputy, and ask for a speedy recovery.”

The deputy has not yet been publicly identified.