COLUMBUS, Ind. — Columbus police are investigating the deaths of two people after an apparent shooting of a woman followed by a SWAT team standoff with a man.
Police have identified them as Kelly R. Baker, 43, of Columbus and the man found deceased inside the home on Lafayette Avenue has been identified as Brian F. Mitchell, 44, of Columbus. Police said they were cousins.
Officers were called to 1518 Lafayette Avenue shortly before 9 p.m. Thursday after multiple reports of gunshots, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman.
A woman was found in this Columbus home Thursday night in the 1500 block of Lafayette Avenue after gunshots were reported. She later died in a hospital. A man was found dead inside.
Photo by Mark Webber
Baker was found inside a vehicle with multiple gunshot wounds, Harris said.
She was taken to Columbus Regional Hospital and then transferred by helicopter to Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis, where she later died of her injuries around midnight, officers on the scene said.
The Columbus Police Department SWAT team as well as negotiators went to the Lafayette Avenue address, Harris said. Before the officers arrived, a witness told police that the suspect entered the residence and a short time later, a gunshot was heard.
Negotiators attempted to contact the suspect for several hours but were unsuccessful, Harris said.
After chemical irritants were used to get the suspect to leave the house, a police robot was sent into the home, where Mitchell was found dead inside a bedroom at around 2 a.m. today, officers said.
Photo provided
Authorities have not elaborated on the relationship between the man and woman.
Watch for more details online today and in Saturday’s print edition of The Republic.
