Deputy shoots suspect tossing explosives during car chase, Indiana police say

A wanted man tossing explosive devices from a car during a police chase led to an officer-involved shooting in Indiana, police say.

A 911 caller told police a suspicious man was “knocking vigorously” on the door of a home early Wednesday morning in Clay County in western Indiana, according to state police.

The man had left before cops arrived, but a deputy spotted a speeding vehicle that matched the suspect’s car, police say.

The deputy started chasing the car north on Highway 59, watching as the driver tossed items from his vehicle. They were later determined to be “active” improvised explosive devices, police said.

The driver went off-road after missing a turn then drove back onto the road — directly at the deputy’s patrol vehicle, police said. Believing “his life was in danger,” the deputy shot the driver, police said.

The suspect continued driving until he stopped and began running away. That’s when a police dog was released and caught the man.

The suspect was taken to the hospital with injuries not considered to be life-threatening, police said.

The suspect was shot in the upper torso, Indiana State Police Sgt. Matt Ames told McClatchy News.

Meanwhile, an Indiana State Police bomb squad arrived at the scene and inspected the devices with police dogs and tools, determining they were active. The unit “neutralized” the explosives.

Marion Tanner Joseph Haywood, 23, of Owensburg, Indiana, was identified as the suspect.

In late May, Bloomington, Indiana police sought help finding Haywood on charges of kidnapping, domestic battery with a deadly weapon, domestic battery with a prior conviction, strangulation, auto theft and unlawful possession of a firearm by a domestic batterer, according to a department Facebook post.

Police considered him “armed and dangerous.”

The deputy who fired his gun has been put on administrative leave, which is typical for officer-involved shooting, police said. He has been with the sheriff’s office for one and a half years.

This story was originally published June 17, 2020 at 10:09 AM with the headline "Deputy shoots suspect tossing explosives during car chase, Indiana police say."