Police: 25 rounds in 20 seconds in shootout killing deputy

PERU, Ind. (AP) - At least 25 rounds were fired in about 20 seconds during the shootout that led to the death of a central Indiana sheriff's deputy, state police said Thursday.

Deputy Carl Koontz and Sgt. Jordan Buckley of the Howard County Sheriff's Department fired 16 rounds in the March 20 shootout inside a Russiaville mobile home but none struck suspect Evan Dorsey because he was hiding behind a furnace, state police said in wrapping up their investigation into the incident.

Dorsey, 25, fired about nine shots from two handguns, striking Koontz, 27, in the pelvis and Buckley, 35, in the pelvis, police said. Koontz died of his wounds, and Dorsey killed himself after the shootout.

Koontz and Buckley forcibly entered the mobile home after knocking and announcing their presence. After the shootout, other officers dragged Koontz from the home and Buckley was able to exit on his own, police said.

Buckley returned to duty in May.

Howard County Prosecutor Mark McCann said "substantial illegal drug trafficking" occurred at the mobile home, and he filed methamphetamine- and marijuana-related charges Wednesday against six people and charged three others with misdemeanor visiting a common nuisance. Three of the six facing drug charges remained at large Thursday, he said.

One person also was charged with neglect of a dependent after two children were seen on videotape inside the mobile home, McCann said.