10:50 a.m. UPDATE:
Bartholomew County Sheriff deputies report that Mark A. Ward was found at Columbus Regional Hospital after an individual drove him there and his whereabouts were reported to police. The report was made to police at about 10:50 a.m. from the hospital.
Deputies said they are now in the process of locating Ward’s vehicle, which is believed to be in Columbus.
Ward is suffering from an apparent gunshot wound, but was conscious and talking when he arrived at the hospital, deputies said.
The case is now being turned over to Shelby County officials, because the shooting incident is believed to have occurred in Shelby County, local officials said.
For more on this story, see Thursday’s Republic.
ORIGINAL STORY:
COLUMBUS, Ind. — The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department is searching for a possible victim of a shooting that detectives believe occurred in Shelby County on Tuesday.
Mark A. Ward, 50, who lives in Bartholomew County, was last seen in the area of the 13000 block of North County Road 500 E. He was driving a blue, two-door Honda passenger vehicle with the back window shot out.
Detectives believe the Honda driven by Ward may be a 1999 model with an Indiana dealer plate number of L499950.
Detectives have spoken to witnesses that have stated that Ward was shot and injured. It has not been determined where the shooting took place. Investigators believe Ward may be in the area of Clifty Park in Bartholomew County. Indiana State Police, Columbus police and deputies have been searching that area since Tuesday night.
Ward has allegedly had video chats with friends but would not give a location of his whereabouts. Ward has told friends that he is injured but does not wish to be located. Ward may be in possession of a .22-caliber rifle or a handgun of some type.
If you see a vehicle matching the above description or person matching the photo of Ward, call 911 immediately.
Law enforcement will continue their search this morning in the area of Clifty Park. At this point, Ward has made no statements of injuring others during chats with friends.
Officers said Ward is not a suspect in any crime at this point.
Columbus East High School is operating under “lockout” conditions, which means normal classroom operations are continuing, but people from the outside are not being allowed in the building and the “perimeter is secured.”
The lockout is being done “out of an abundance of caution,” BCSC officials said.
The status is listed as a lockout as it is a community situation and there is no threat to the building staff or students. A lockdown is a situation where there is a threat to the school building.
The lockout continues while the search continues by authorities.
For more on this story, see Thursday’s Republic.
