Pike County – After continuing to investigate the officer involved shooting that occurred Sunday afternoon, May 3, at a residence located at 7858 South Meridian Road, Indiana State Police detectives have additional information concerning the incident
According to detectives, Michael Faries, 69, called 911 stating he and his wife were starving and someone was shooting at them. Petersburg Police Officer Kyle Mills and Pike County Sheriff’s Deputy Paul Collier responded and arrived at the residence at approximately 2:14 p.m. Officers initially made contact with Faries’ wife at the front door to the residence and informed her they had to check on his well-being since he called 911. While at the front door, Deputy Collier could see Faries inside the residence and noticed he had his right hand in his pocket. Faries was also agitated and yelling. Deputy Collier continued to talk to Faries in an attempt to calm him down. Faries eventually agreed to go outside to continue to talk to the officers. Deputy Collier then noticed a bulge in Faries’ right pocket. Deputy Collier stepped just inside the residence and gave several loud verbal commands instructing Faries to take his hand out of his pocket. At this point, Faries drew a revolver out of his right pocket. Deputy Collier discharged his service weapon striking Faries two times. An ambulance was requested and both officers initiated CPR, but Faries succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The handgun Faries drew from his pocket was a loaded .38 caliber revolver.
Deputy Paul Collier is a five-year veteran of the Pike County Sheriff’s Office. Corporal Kyle Mills is a nine-year veteran of the Petersburg Police Department.
An autopsy conducted on May 4 revealed Faries died from gunshot wounds. Toxicology results are pending.
This is an on-going investigation. When the investigation is complete it will be turned over to the Pike County Prosecutor’s Office for their review, which is standard practice when a police officer is involved in a police action shooting.
Investigating Officers: Detective Wes Kuykendall, Detective Sergeant Brad Chandler and Detective First Sergeant Trevor Helmer, Indiana State Police
