FLOYD COUNTY — Criminal charges have been filed against a man who police now say killed his own wife and another person in a gas station parking lot, fled officers, then took a hostage at gunpoint and tried to hit officers with a car.
Cherok A. Douglass, 37, of New Albany, Ind., is currently being held at Floyd County Jail on two counts of murder and one count each of attempted murder, kidnapping while hijacking a vehicle and robbery resulting in serious bodily injuries. All charges are felonies.
Cherok Douglass was shot by responding officers with the New Albany Police Department and Floyd County Sheriff's Department when he tried to run officers over with an SUV he had forced a woman hostage into, according to Indiana State Police. ISP investigated the shooting.
Police first responded at about 10 a.m. Monday for a double-homicide at a Circle K gas station at Beechwood and Grant Line roads. There, they found two victims, later identified as Cherok Douglass' wife, Brandee Kay Douglass, 38, and Lorin M. Yelle, 48, of Louisville, Ky.
RELATED | New Albany double homicide suspect, victims named
ISP said Yelle had no connection to either Brandee or Cherok Douglass and was a customer at the gas station. She was shot as she was exiting the store.
Officers then saw a suspect, later identified as Cherok Douglass, fleeing in an SUV. They chased the suspect onto Charlestown Road, north of Interstate 265, where Douglass stopped at
a local restaurant and at gunpoint took a woman as a hostage.
He then forced the woman into the SUV. At one point, the woman fell from the vehicle, at which point he tried to run over officers. It was then officers opened fire, wounding him. He was transported with non-life-threatening injuries to a university hospital in Louisville.
Cherok Douglass was extradited from Kentucky on Wednesday, ISP said. An initial court appearance has not yet been scheduled on his behalf.
Autopsies for the victims are scheduled for next Monday.
-
Big Ten kicks off nationwide era when UCLA hosts Indiana at the Rose Bowl
The Big Ten kicks off a new era as a nationwide 18-team conference when the Bruins welcome the Hoosiers.
1 dead after shooting near Frank & Judy O'Bannon Soccer Park
Just after midnight, IMPD officers were called to the 1500 block of Lewis Street on a report of a person shot.
Mayor Hogsett addresses sexual misconduct allegations under his administration
Mayor Joe Hogsett vows he will not step down after lingering questions about the sexual misconduct allegations involving former administration staffers.
Nightlight Christian Adoptions fundraiser is an effort to support foster kids
On Sunday, September 15, the agency is holding a fundraiser at Top Golf in Fishers from 3-6 p.m. Officials hope the event helps raise awareness for the need.
