Indiana State Police and local law enforcement swarmed a location in downtown New Albany Friday night after receiving a tip that a man wanted in connection with the shooting of an Orange County deputy may be in the area.
During a news conference, ISP spokesperson Kevin Getz said law enforcement received information that Austin Schepers, 33, of Jaspers, Indiana, could possibly be inside a residence in the 1800 block of East Market Street. Schepers is a person of interest in the shooting of Deputy Zach Andry, which occurred earlier in the day.
Police are not certain that Schepers is in the residence, Getz said, but officials have applied for a search warrant and hope to remove the man from the residence peacefully if he is inside.
“We cannot confirm nor deny if he is the house, but certainly we need to act as if he is in the house,” Getz said. “Our goal is to end this peacefully. We do not want to see anyone else get injured or get hurt.”
A police vehicle sits Friday night outside a warehouse in New Albany in the 1800 block of East Market where Indiana State Police are following a tip that a man suspected in a Friday morning shooting of an Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy may be in the area Jan. 3, 2025.
What happened in the Orange County deputy shooting?
According to a report from the IndyStar, Andy was traveling near the intersection of US 150 and Indiana State Road 56 Friday morning when he saw what he believed to be a disabled vehicle with two people inside.
After he stopped and approached the vehicle, Andry asked its occupants to step outside, Getz said. Shortly after, Schepers allegedly shot the deputy before leaving the scene. A woman was also in the vehicle at the time of the shooting.
Andry was taken to UofL Health in downtown Louisville for treatment, where he remains in unknown condition. Getz could not provide additional details, though a fund to help Andry and his family has been created, he said.
Officials issued a Blue Alert following the shooting, which Indiana law enforcement use to warn people when an officer is in danger, killed or seriously injured. Schepers’ vehicle was reportedly found in Orangeville, Indiana, later Friday morning.
Police describe Schepers as a man about 5 foot, 7 inches tall, weighing 150 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes. He has a tattoo of a cross under his left eye and multiple tattoos around his neck.
Getz urged citizens to remember that Schepers is still considered armed and dangerous, despite the ongoing search in New Albany.
“Do not approach him,” Getz said. “Our primary focus is to ensure we end this and also ensure the safety and security of all our citizens.”
This is a breaking news story and will update.
Contact reporter Killian Baarlaer at kbaarlaer@gannett.com or @bkillian72 on X.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Indiana State Police, New Albany Police search for shooting suspect
