EC Police Nab Man Before Possible Mass Shooting
On February 14, 2024, at approximately 12:30 PM, East Chicago Officers were dispatched to the Regional Mental Health Center located at 3903 Indianapolis Blvd in reference to the staff receiving threatening phone calls. Upon arrival, officers spoke with an employee of Regional Mental Health. The employee advised officers that a male by the name of Torrence Lindsey-Bynum called the facility and threatened to blow it up. Officers were further advised that Mr. Lindsey-Bynum contacted other facilities and made threats to them as well.
The employee then showed officers a picture of Mr. Lindsey-Bynum and stated that he drives an older model, dark colored Dodge Charger. While officers were still on the scene gathering more information for a report, they observed Mr. Lindsey-Bynum enter the facility wearing a ski mask that partially covered his face.
Officers approached Mr. Lindsey-Bynum to detain him when he began to forcibly resist officers. After a brief struggle, he was handcuffed and taken into custody. Officers then placed Mr. Lindsey-Bynum inside a marked squad car. Mr. Lindsey-Bynum then unbuckled his seat belt, kicked out the rear passenger window and climbed out the window while still handcuffed. He then proceeded to run towards his dark colored Dodge Charger. Officers caught up to him before he could get inside his vehicle. He was then secured in a transport wagon and transported to the East Chicago Police Department Jail.
Officers continued their investigation and located an AR-15 rifle loaded with 30 live rounds, a 9mm semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine loaded with 24 live rounds, a duffelbag containing more magazines loaded with live rounds, a ski mask and gloves inside his vehicle in plain view.
The case was assigned to the EC Criminal Investigation Division. After further investigation, the Criminal Investigation Division secured the following charges:
1 count of Attempted Murder
2 counts of Intimidation (Level 5 Felony)
1 count of Unlawful Carrying of a Handgun (Level 5 Felony)
“The officers quick actions and response to the call stopped a potentially dangerous situation from occurring at the facility.”
