Man wounded after jail van escape, firing shots at police

KENTLAND, Ind. (AP) - A 36-year-old man has been shot and wounded by officers after escaping from a jail transport van in western Indiana and later firing shots from an apartment he ran into, state police said.

Jayme Lopez of Gary fled about 10:30 a.m. Wednesday after arriving at the Newton County Jail in Kentland from a jail in Iroquois County, Illinois, police said.

State troopers located Lopez about 1 p.m. at an apartment building in Kentland, northwest of Lafayette. A sheriff's tactical unit was called in and began negotiations with Lopez.

A short time later, shots were fired from the apartment. A tactical unit officer returned fire, striking Lopez who then surrendered, state police said.

Lopez was being treated at a hospital. His condition was not available Wednesday night.

He had been wanted on a warrant out of Newton County.

State police are investigating the shooting.