ISP: Kentucky man stranded on side of road pulled out shotgun, killed firefighter who stopped to help

HARRISON COUNTY, Ind. — Investigators have revealed new particulars within the tragic loss of life of a Good Samaritan who stopped to help a stranded motorist solely to wind up being shot and killed by the very individual he stopped to lend assist to.

In accordance with the Indiana State Police, Justin Moore, 31, of Owensboro, Kentucky, was touring on State Street 135 simply south of Palmyra when he ran out of fuel and pulled his automobile to the aspect of the highway shortly earlier than 9:30 p.m. on Monday.

Investigators realized that Moore had requested an area resident for fuel, or cash to acquire gasoline, earlier than then returning to his automobile which was nonetheless partially within the highway. Not lengthy later, a reserve officer with the Palmyra Police Division arrived to help Moore.

Investigators mentioned it was right now that Jacob Tyler McClanahan, 24, of Corydon was touring down State Street 135 in a pickup truck with a pal when he noticed Moore’s automobile. McClanahan, a volunteer firefighter and worker of the county freeway division, pulled his truck over so as to provide his help to Moore and the police officer.

Sooner or later through the officer’s interplay with Moore, investigators mentioned the Kentucky man was requested if he had any weapons inside his automobile. Moore informed the officer he didn’t have any weapons within the automobile however did was in possession of a small knife. The officer requested Moore to position the knife contained in the automobile.

Investigators mentioned they aren’t certain what prompted Moore’s subsequent actions, however after he was requested to place the knife in his automobile Moore opened his door, reached inside as if to place the knife away, however then shortly circled with a shotgun in his arms.

Moore fired the shotgun on the officer. Investigators mentioned the officer reacted, drawing his personal sidearm and firing again at Moore. Moore fired the shotgun a second time, however it was McClanahan who was struck and killed by the shotgun blast.

The reserve officer returned hearth as soon as extra, investigators mentioned, putting and killing the shotgun-wielding Kentucky man together with his division issued pistol.

State police mentioned officers from a number of departments swarmed to the scene within the wake of the frantic and sudden taking pictures. Life-saving measures have been tried on each Moore and McClanahan. The Palmyra officer was transported to the Harrison County Hospital after being minorly injured within the shootout.

Regardless of these new particulars, state police mentioned investigators are nonetheless uncertain why Moore was touring in Indiana. No particulars have emerged right now as to why he determined to drag out the shotgun and hearth upon the very individuals who stopped to assist him.

Within the wake of the tragic taking pictures, the Harrison County Hearth Division, the place McClanahan was a volunteer, expressed shock over the seemingly mindless taking pictures.

“Nothing is smart that anybody might be murdered whereas stopping and rendering assist,” they wrote in a Fb publish.

“Jacob is a real hero that may perpetually be remembered residing the selfless life he did. A real firefighter that was all the time there once you wanted assist. Godspeed Jacob T. McClanahan. Your brothers at Harrison Township will miss you. Gone however by no means forgotten.”

Jacob McClanahan was an worker of the Harrison County Freeway Division who additionally shared a publish that included pictures of McClanahan in tribute to their fallen coworker.

“Our hearts ache at this time over the mindless and tragic lack of our pal and coworker,” the freeway division mentioned in a Fb publish.

“Jacob was very form and had the true coronary heart of a servant. Whether or not right here on the Freeway Division or with the hearth division Jacob was all the time on the lookout for methods to assist folks.”