An Indiana police officer was shot and killed while trying to help victims of a car crash.
According to the Southport Police Department, Lt. Aaron Allan and another officer were responding to reports of a flipped car Thursday afternoon when shots rang out. A witness told a local TV station shots came from inside the car.
"He responded to a crash with urgency to preserve life. Tragically, his was lost," said Southport Police Chief Thomas Vaughn said.
Authorities say Allan was hit multiple times. He was rushed to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries.
It's unclear why the shooter fired at Allan. The police chief said Allan will be missed in the small Indianapolis suburb.
"He actually had a nickname," Vaughn said. "It was "Teddy Bear," and that's because he tried to act, you know, real macho. But when a citizen or someone needed help, he was one of the first guys who was there."
Both a suspected shooter and another passenger were taken to the hospital with injuries that weren't life-threatening. Police arrested the suspect on a preliminary murder charge.
Allan leaves behind a wife and children.
