Steve Jefferson/Eyewitness News
Indianapolis - A suspect is dead after being shot by a police officer. It was not his first brush with the law. Police say Warren Collins, 35, was killed after fleeing and a fight.
The fatal shooting happened Tuesday night in the 3300 block of Wellington Avenue. Police say one of Collins' previous getaways turned deadly.
Warren Collins got the attention of Metro Police officer Seth Ferrell around 7:30 Tuesday night.
"His attention was drawn to the suspect's vehicle as he was driving erratically," said Lt. Jeff Duhamell, IMPD.
During the initial traffic stop, Officer Ferrell says Collins sped away, sparking a short pursuit into a dead end street. That led to a foot chase.
Collins reportedly started a fight with Ferrell and fractured the officer's right hand.
"The suspect was able to get on top of our officer and strike him several times to the point where he lost consciousness," said Lt. Duhamell.
The gunfire that followed drew the attention of several witnesses.
"Swerve and get out of the and the next thing you know you hear gunshots," said Michael Henderson, witness.
"The suspect basically continued to go after the officer and attack him and that is when the officer fired the shots," said Lt. Duhamell.
Collins' criminal history includes driving while suspended, carrying a handgun without a license, possession of marijuana and repeat resisting law enforcement arrests.
In a separate police pursuit in 2005, Collins tried to get away from police and ended up crashing. That crash claimed the life of a 75-year-old driver.
Collins pleaded guilty after he T-boned Earl Jamison Senior's car. The dead crash devastated the victim's family.
"He was more than my father. He was my buddy. I hung out on weekends with him and he will be greatly missed," said Earl Jamison Jr.
As police internal affairs officers investigate Collins' shooting death involving Ferrrell, the rookie officer is home recovering from his injuries.
Ferrell will go on desk duty when he does return to work.
Warren Collins was supposed to appear at the end of this month for a habitual traffic offender charge.
