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The Hendricks County Courthouse reopened Tuesday, a day after sheriff’s deputies shot and killed an armed man outside the courthouse, halting all court business for the day.
Indiana State Police are still investigating the incident and stated there was no further information to be released at this time.
According to a state police news release, Hendricks County Sheriff’s Deputies Zachary Emmitt and Nathan Phillips fired their weapons at Mark Vawter, 65, who was armed outside the courthouse.
Emmitt and Phillips were transporting a group of inmates from the Hendricks County jail to court proceedings at the courthouse.
According to the Indianapolis Star, Vawter was the great-grandfather of two children killed in a car crash.
S’Donis Pettis, 25, had a court hearing Monday for his charges of killing two-month-old Iris and three-year-old Ares in a car accident while being chased by police.
The Star reported Pettis was in the group of inmates being transported by the two deputies.
The deputies began unloading the inmates and walking to the courthouse when they were confronted by Vawter, who pulled a gun from his clothing and pointed it toward them. Vawter fired one shot, and the deputies returned shots, killing Vawter.
After the shooting, the deputies worked to get he inmates to a safe area while other officers responded to the scene.
Per standard protocol for the Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office, the involved deputies will be placed on administrative leave.
Hendricks Superior Court Judge Stephanie LeMay-Luken said all judges, court staff and clerk’s staff are doing well after the incident.
“All Court staff and clerk staff have been notified of several avenues to provide support for their mental health,” LeMay-Luken said.
Judge Mark Smith rescheduled a jury trial that was scheduled for Tuesday and notified all jurors and attorneys immediately.
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