On Sunday, July 17th, at approximately 2:25am, the Lafayette Police Department responded to Jerilee’s Pub, 2100 Elmwood Ave, in reference to a report of shots being fired. While responding to the pub, a Lafayette officer located a vehicle traveling the wrong way (westbound) on Union St. The officer stopped the vehicle and made contact with the occupants. While speaking with the driver, the officer observed the driver was in possession of a handgun. A struggle ensued between the LPD officer and the driver for the handgun. After the officer gained possession of the firearm, the vehicle, a black Honda, fled the scene. A Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Deputy was in the area and located the suspect vehicle. The Sheriff’s Department pursued the vehicle into West Lafayette.
The occupants of the suspect vehicle fled on foot after crossing the river into West Lafayette. Officers later observed the four suspects climbing a fence into an apartment complex in the 300-block of Grant St. With the assistance of the West Lafayette Police Department, Purdue Police Department, Indiana State Police, and Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Department, officers searched the complex. After conducting an initial search for the suspects, a male approached officers and advised that four male subjects entered his apartment and locked himself and a roommate inside. The victim managed to escape the apartment to notify law enforcement.
Officers were then able to locate the apartment, quickly rescue the remaining victim inside, and take the four suspects into custody. The victims were uninjured during the incident. One suspect sustained a leg injury while scaling the apartment fence. He was transported to the hospital for treatment.
The following were arrested related to this incident:
Shaquille Julian Spencer (22-years-old and of Chicago, IL)
- Confinement (Level 6 Felony)
- Residential Entry (Level 6 Felony)
- False Informing (B Misdemeanor)
- Carrying a Handgun without a License (A Misdemeanor)
- Resisting Law Enforcement (Level 6 Felony)
- Trespassing (A Misdemeanor)
Pierre B. Morris (24-years-old and of Chicago, IL)
- Confinement (Level 6 Felony)
- Residential Entry (Level 6 Felony)
- Possession of Paraphernalia (B Misdemeanor)
- Resisting Law Enforcement (Level 6 Felony)
- Trespassing (A Misdemeanor)
Leonard London Dixon (23-yeard-old and of Oak Lawn, IL)
- Confinement (Level 6 Felony)
- Residential Entry (Level 6 Felony)
- Resisting Law Enforcement (Level 6 Felony)
- Trespassing (A Misdemeanor)
Vern S. Jones (24-years-old and of Chicago, IL)
- Confinement (Level 6 Felony)
- Residential Entry (Level 6 Felony)
- Resisting Law Enforcement (Level 6 Felony)
- Trespassing (A Misdemeanor)
Investigation at Jerilee’s Pub indicated that there were rounds fired inside and outside of the business. The investigation is ongoing. Anybody with further information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Lafayette Police Department (807-1200), West Lafayette Police Department (775-5200), or the We-Tip Hotline (800-78-CRIME).
The Lafayette Police Department would also like to thank the Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Department, West Lafayette Police Department, Purdue University Police Department, Indiana State Police, and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources for their assistance in this investigation.
Lt. Brian Gossard
Community Outreach and Crime Prevention
Lafayette Police Department
The fact a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.