Shelbyville, IN – This is the first updated news release regarding the police action shooting that occurred around 11:00 p.m. on the evening of Saturday, January 7, 2012.

As previously reported, detectives from the Indiana State Police Criminal Investigation Division were called to investigate a shooting involving an armed suspect and three Shelbyville City police officers.  The suspect, identified as Lyman Dawson, 22 of Shelbyville, fired at the officers at least one time.  The three officers returned fire, striking Dawson multiple times.  This all occurred north of the intersection of Colescott and Harrison Street (Harrison Street is also known as State Road 9), which is several blocks south of the downtown Shelbyville Circle.  Dawson was transported to Methodist Hospital, by helicopter, and was listed in critical condition as of 5:00 this morning.  Dawson’s immediate family has been notified.

Chief Keith England of the Shelbyville City Police Department requested the Indiana State Police conduct this investigation involving two different shootings and multiple crime scene locations spanning several blocks.

As of 2:00 p.m. today crime scene processing has been completed and all areas related to the multiple scene investigation were reopened to the public around 1:00 p.m. 

The latest update from IU Health Methodist hospital is that the suspect, Lyman Dawson, is still in critical condition.

A photo of Lyman Dawson, from May of 2011, has been provided courtesy of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department.

Investigations of this nature can take weeks to complete.  Once finished, the investigation will be submitted to the Shelby County Prosecutor’s office for review and action as deemed appropriate.

Questions about this ongoing investigation should be directed to Captain David Bursten of the Indiana State Police Public Information Office.  No further information is available at this time.

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.