INDIANAPOLIS (AP/WISH/WANE) — A police officer died after being shot multiple times while responding to a traffic crash on the south side of Indianapolis, authorities said Thursday.

Lt. Aaron Allan of the Southport Police Department was responding to a call about a crash with people trapped inside a vehicle Thursday afternoon when he was shot, Sgt. Kendale Adams of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department told reporters at a news conference. Allan died at Eskenazi Hospital, Adams said.

“Shots were fired by one of the vehicle’s occupants, striking the Southport lieutenant,” Adams said.

Two other officers at the scene, including one who was off-duty at the time, returned fire, striking a person inside the vehicle, Adams said. That person and a second person injured in the crash were hospitalized and in custody with non-life-threatening injuries. Police did not release their names or discuss a motive for the shooting.

Allan was a six-year veteran of the Southport department and had nearly 20 years of law enforcement experience, Southport Police Chief Thomas Vaughn said.

“Lieutenant Allan was a hard worker, and today was no different. He responded to a crash with urgency to preserve life. Tragically, his was lost,” Vaughn said at the news conference.

Neighborhood resident Bryan McGary told WXIN-TV the shooting was unusual for the area.

“It’s just hard to believe that this would happen here. I mean I’ve lived here since 1976 and we really haven’t had much. . We do have a lot of policemen in our area that live here so it’s just one of those things,” McGary said.

Southport is an enclave within the city limits of Indianapolis.

Mayor Joe Hogsett (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement:

Today, Lieutenant Aaron Allan was doing what officers do each day: responding to the scene of an accident ready to help someone in their time of need. His death is a shocking and tragic reminder of the difficult, often dangerous work of police officers across Marion County. Together, our community grieves for the Allan family and for all the men and women who risk their lives on a daily basis to protect our city and its citizens.”

Gov. Holcomb (R-IN) released the following statement, via Twitter:

My thoughts & prayers remain with the families, friends, and our law enforcement community as we mourn the loss of two public safety servants. Our officers are true Hoosier heroes and deserve our support now and always.”

Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-IN) released the following statement:

“My deepest condolences and prayers go to the family of Southport Police Lieutenant Aaron Allan, and to the entire Southport Police Department, as they confront this tragedy. Every day, law enforcement officers across Indiana and our country go to work to protect our families and communities. May we honor Lt. Allan’s memory and service to his community and our state.”

Some neighbors said they know Allan as he frequently patrols their neighborhood.

Homecroft has 745 residents and Southport has 1,750 residents, according to Stats Indiana.

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