Crime
33-year-old Lacresha Black shot and killed outside her home in Springfield Township, suspect Terea Brown dead
Officials have not yet determined whether Brown was killed by police gunfire or a self-inflicted wound.
Authorities have released details regarding a tragic series of events that began with a fatal shooting in Springfield Township early Monday morning and ended with the death of the suspect after a police pursuit in Indiana.
Springfield Township Police responded to a report of gunfire on Lincoln Avenue around 6:00 a.m.
Upon arrival, officers discovered 33-year-old Lacresha Black lying outside her home with multiple gunshot wounds. Tragically, Black was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators quickly identified the suspect as 42-year-old Terea Brown.
According to police, Brown fled the scene before officers arrived.
A description of her and her vehicle was immediately broadcast to law enforcement agencies in the region.
The investigation revealed that Brown had traveled to Clinton County, Indiana.
There, she became involved in a high-speed chase with Indiana State Police. The pursuit, which began on the interstate, ended near a gas station off the State Road 28 exit.
During the confrontation, at least one gunshot was fired from Brown’s vehicle, prompting troopers to return fire. Brown was pronounced dead at the scene following the exchange of gunfire.
Officials have not yet determined whether Brown was killed by police gunfire or a self-inflicted wound.
An Indiana State Police (ISP) spokesperson reported that no troopers were injured during the incident and confirmed that investigators are working to determine who fired the initial shot.
The Springfield Township Police Department and the Indiana State Police Criminal Investigation Division are conducting separate investigations into the events.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the Springfield Township shooting or the subsequent pursuit to come forward. Tips can be submitted to the Springfield Township Police Department at 513-729-1300 or the Indiana State Police Criminal Investigation Division at 765-567-2125.
Crime
Agent Nic Graham Dies After Being Shot in Lakewood Police Shootout With Suspect Gabriel Garcia on RTD Bus
LAKEWOOD, Colorado โ A Lakewood police agent who was critically wounded during a shootout with a suspect aboard an RTD bus has died, authorities confirmed. The fallen officer was identified as Nic Graham, a member of the Lakewood Police Department since 2019.
Graham was among four police agents injured Thursday evening when an armed confrontation erupted near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard. A civilian bystander was also struck by gunfire.
The shooting followed a police search for a suspect connected to a hit-and-run crash reported earlier in the day.
Police said the incident initially began shortly before 3:45 p.m. Thursday, following a hit-and-run collision near Kipling Street and West 13th Avenue in Lakewood.
Witnesses told investigators that the suspect ran away almost immediately after the crash. However, they provided officers with a description that helped police identify and search for the individual.
Lakewood Police Public Information Agent John Romero said witnesses were able to give officers a useful description of the person who fled the scene.
Several hours later, at approximately 6:30 p.m., a Lakewood police agent recognized the individual boarding an RTD bus near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.
Officers approached the suspect at approximately 6:32 p.m. Police said the individual opened fire on officers, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Responding officers returned fire, striking the suspect. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene and was identified as Gabriel Garcia.
Garcia was reportedly on parole when the shooting occurred.
The circumstances surrounding the confrontation remain part of the ongoing investigation.
Four Lakewood police agents suffered gunshot wounds during the confrontation. Their injuries ranged from serious to critical, and all four were transported to nearby hospitals.
Despite receiving emergency medical treatment, Graham later died from his injuries.
One civilian bystander was also hit by gunfire and hospitalized. The person’s condition had not been publicly disclosed as of Friday afternoon.
Hospital updates released Friday morning indicated that two agents treated at Denver Health Medical Center had been released. Another remained hospitalized, while officials had not provided a complete update on the remaining injured individuals.
Graham began serving with the Lakewood Police Department in 2019 after graduating from the police academy.
Throughout his law enforcement career, he contributed to criminal investigations and earned recognition for his work.
One of his notable achievements came in 2023, when he received the department’s Special Investigations Unit Wingman Award for his contributions to investigations targeting gang members.
Police Chief Philip Smith paid tribute to Graham, highlighting his dedication, compassion and commitment to helping others.
Chief Smith said Graham demonstrated those qualities throughout his career, from his early days on patrol to his investigative work.
His death has left the department and the wider Lakewood community grieving the loss of an officer who dedicated his career to public service.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities examine the circumstances that led to the deadly confrontation.
The shooting resulted in the death of suspect Gabriel Garcia, the fatal injury of Agent Nic Graham, injuries to three additional police agents and a civilian bystander.
Officials have not released a final investigative account of the incident. Further updates are expected as investigators establish the complete sequence of events.