Off Duty Officer Opens Fire On I-65 After Allegedly Attacked
Saturday evening at 6:38 p.m., troopers were dispatched to a report of shots being fired by a motorist on I-65 near the 243 mile-marker, according to Sgt. Glen Fifield of The Indiana State Police. Preliminary investigation revealed that a gray 2019 Dodge van was northbound on I-65 when it was rear ended by another vehicle, a white 2006 Chevrolet van. As both vehicles stopped, a confrontation took place between the drivers.
The driver of the Chevrolet van, James W. Schultz, 42, from Meridian, Mississippi, is alleged to have swung and then thrown a knife at the driver of the Dodge van, George E. Glossop, 34, from Thorntown, Indiana. Mr. Schultz then returned to his vehicle and attempted to leave the scene, Fifield stated. Mr. Glossop removed from his holster a 9mm handgun and fired at the tires of Mr. Schultz’ vehicle, disabling the vehicle.
During the investigation it was learned that Mr. Glossop is a Thorntown Deputy Town Marshall. He was off-duty at the time of the incident. Further investigation led investigators to believe that Mr. Schultz may have been impaired at the time of the crash. Field sobriety tests were administered to Mr. Schultz and after failing those tests, he initially refused to take a certified chemical test for intoxication.
Troopers then transported Mr. Schultz to St. Anthony’s Hospital in Crown Point where, while applying for a search warrant to draw Mr. Schultz’ blood, he changed his mind and consented to the blood draw, Fifield said. The results of that blood draw are pending. Mr. Schultz was then transported to the Lake County Jail.
This is an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding what led up to the shots being fired. Once that investigation is complete, the information will be forwarded to the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office for consideration of charges, police said.
