Published on: October 19, 2024, 08:24h. 

Last updated on: October 19, 2024, 08:24h.

An unidentified individual was fatally shot by law enforcement at the Hollywood Casino & Hotel Lawrenceburg in Indiana on Saturday morning following an exchange of gunfire, according to officials.

Three officers from Lawrenceburg, Ind. confronted the individual in a hallway on the fourth floor of the hotel.

Despite repeated warnings, the individual refused to drop a firearm. The suspect initiated the gunfire. There was an exchange of gunfire between the suspect and the officers.

The suspect was hit at least once by the officers and died on the scene.

As per standard protocols following a police-involved shooting, the officers were put on administrative leave.

The suspect, who was also carrying a knife, had been pursuing and threatening a woman around the hotel, as per the Indiana State Police (ISP). The suspect had also threatened another man with the knife before the authorities arrived. According to the police, the two individuals were not acquainted prior to the incident.

There were reports of gunshots being fired in the hotel’s casino area, presumably by the suspect, before the police arrived.

Local authorities were first notified of the incident around 1 a.m.

Shooting Under Investigation

The ISP will conduct an investigation into the events surrounding the shooting to determine if the use of lethal force by the officers was justified.

“The investigation is still ongoing,” stated ISP Sgt. Stephen Wheeles in a statement on Saturday.

Once the investigation is concluded, the case will be handed over to the Dearborn County Prosecutor’s Office for review… The identities of the involved officers are being withheld at this time. They have all been placed on administrative leave in accordance with standard Lawrenceburg Police Department procedures.”

No injuries were reported among the officers involved in the shooting.

An autopsy will be conducted on the deceased individual. The Dearborn County Coroner’s Office will confirm the individual’s identity and disclose the cause and manner of death.

“The identity of the individual is being kept confidential pending identification by the Dearborn County Coroner’s Office and notification of next of kin,” Wheeles added.

The authorities have not yet disclosed why the suspect was chasing the woman. It is unclear if the two were acquainted before the incident on Saturday.

Guests Moved

Following the shooting, officers checked on the well-being of other guests in the hotel. Police and hotel staff relocated guests in the vicinity of the shooting temporarily. No additional injuries were reported to law enforcement.

Lawrenceburg is situated approximately 30 miles west of Cincinnati, Ohio.