By John Estridge
A Cedar Grove man is charged with five felonies resulting from a shootout off US 52 in Cedar Grove.
Zachary Chetwood, 31, was charged with Attempted Aggravated Battery, as a Level 3 Felony; Attempted Battery with a Deadly Weapon, as a Level 5 Felony; Intimidation, as a Level 5 Felony; Criminal Recklessness, as a Level 5 Felony; and Pointing a Firearm, as a Level 6 Felony.
According to an Affidavit for Probable Cause, filed by Indiana State Police Detective Grant Martin, on May 13, four Franklin County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to a suicidal male armed with a gun.
They found Chetwood sitting in the driver’s seat of a white Ford Interceptor, which belonged to Chetwood. It was parked along US 52 outside of his residence. With the deputies’ arrival, Chetwood immediately stepped out of the vehicle and began pointing his firearm at the responding deputies. In Chetwood’s other hand was a cellphone. Chetwood was still in communication with Franklin County Communication Center during this period
Deputies had taken different positions in the immediate area near Chetwood when responding to the situation.
Deputies repeatedly ordered Chetwood to drop his weapon, but Chetwood ignored the spoken demands. Instead, Chetwood demanded the deputies back up. After several seconds of this back and forth, gunshots ensued between the deputies and Chetwood.
The gunfire lasted five to six seconds.
Deputies and Chetwood fired multiple rounds. Almost immediately during the exchange, Chetwood sustained a wound and fell to the ground toward the rear of his vehicle. After the cessation of gunfire, the deputies went up to Chetwood, secured his weapon and began medical aide. Chetwood sustained bullet wounds to his abdomen and leg.
Chetwood was eventually aircared to University Hospital in Cincinnati.
During the gunfire exchange, it was found several bullets entered a home adjacent to Chetwood’s home. Several bullets were found in that house’s dining room. At the time of the gunfire exchange that home was occupied by a couple and their three children. All were unharmed.
Five days after the shootout, Martin went to University Hospital and interviewed Chetwood.
According to the Affidavit, Chetwood told Martin that Chetwood called 911 because he had been contemplating suicide, and he was in possession of a handgun. After the deputies arrived, he pointed the gun at the deputies. While his intent was to scare the deputies, Chetwood wanted the deputies to fire at himself in what is often called suicide by cop.
Martin later discovered Chetwood had threatened suicide by cop several times to different people in the recent past.
During the gunfire exchange, Chetwood fired at least 10 rounds at the deputies, Chetwood told Martin.
Martin said he found the deputies’ use of force was justified. Part of his findings were based on dash cam video and audio from the deputies’ vehicles.
“The details of the investigation, as noted in the probable cause affidavit, show that the deputies were compelled to act in order to address a serious threat, and as a result of their response, the only person injured was the suspect – the source of the threat. Incredibly, even after exchanging gunfire with Mr. Chetwood, the deputies wasted no time in providing medical attention to him and may have even saved his life. Their actions here speak for themselves,” Franklin County Prosecutor Chris Huerkamp said in his press release.
Huerkamp said Chetwood’s arrest warrant was served on Tuesday, June 7. Between the time of the shootout to Chetwood’s arrest, Chetwood had been a patient at University Hospital.
According to Huerkamp, Chetwood is scheduled to have his initial hearing in Franklin Circuit Court before Franklin Circuit Court Judge J. Steven Cox at 9 a.m., Wednesday, June 17. Currently, Chetwood is being held in the Franklin County Security Center.
If convicted of a Level 3 Felony, Chetwood could face a sentence of three to 16 years in prison. A Level 5 Felony conviction brings a sentence of one to five years in prison while a Level 6 Felony conviction results in a sentence ranging from six months to 2.5 years.
