Lawrenceburg, IN – The suspect who was shot and killed by police during an incident at Hollywood Casino Hotel Lawrenceburg has been identified as 29-year-old Marcus Johnson, authorities confirmed on Monday.
The incident occurred late Sunday night when Lawrenceburg Police responded to a call about a disturbance at the casino hotel. According to witnesses, Johnson was causing a scene in the hotel lobby and appeared to be intoxicated.
When officers arrived at the scene, Johnson allegedly became combative and aggressive towards them. Despite attempts to calm him down and de-escalate the situation, Johnson reportedly refused to comply with orders from the officers.
“Officers repeatedly asked the suspect to calm down and cooperate, but he continued to resist,” said Lawrenceburg Police Chief Robert Reynolds. “The suspect then made a sudden movement towards one of the officers, prompting them to fire their weapon in self-defense.”
Johnson was struck by the gunfire and pronounced dead at the scene. No officers were injured during the incident.
The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by the Indiana State Police. The Lawrenceburg Police Department will also conduct an internal review to determine if the use of deadly force was justified.
The casino hotel was temporarily placed on lockdown following the shooting, but has since reopened to the public. The incident has left many guests and employees shaken, with some expressing concerns about safety and security at the establishment.
“We come here to have a good time and relax, not to witness something so tragic,” said one casino patron. “It’s a reminder that anything can happen anywhere, and it’s just scary.”
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward and assist with the ongoing investigation. The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation and further details are expected to be released in the coming days.
As news of the shooting spread, the community has been left in shock and mourning for the loss of life. Johnson’s friends and family are reeling from the news, struggling to comprehend what led to the fatal encounter with law enforcement.
“We never expected something like this to happen to Marcus,” said a close friend of Johnson. “He was struggling, but he didn’t deserve to die like this. We just want answers and justice for him.”
The shooting at Hollywood Casino Hotel Lawrenceburg is a tragic reminder of the risks and dangers faced by law enforcement officers every day. As the investigation continues, authorities are working to piece together the events that led to the deadly confrontation and provide closure for all parties involved.
