Suspect, 44, who 'shot dead Indiana police officer had thrown a Molotov cocktail at the FBI building where the cop worked' and is charged with murder of a federal agent
The suspect who allegedly shot dead an Indiana police officer reportedly threw a Molotov cocktail at the FBI building where the cop worked in the moments before the deadly shooting, federal authorities said on Thursday.
Shane Meehan, 44, has been charged with the murder of a federal agent and faces up to life in prison if convicted for the slaying of Greg Ferency - a detective with the Terre Haute Police Department, federal prosecutors said in a press release.
Meehan allegedly drove his pickup truck to the gate of the FBI Resident Agency building - where he got out and allegedly tossed a Molotov cocktail toward the building, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Indiana.
When Detective Ferency, a 30-year veteran with the Terre Haute Police Department, soon walked out of the building, Meehan allegedly confronted him armed with a gun and shot him.
'Detective Ferency was able to return fire to defend himself but later died,' the press release reads. 'Shortly thereafter, an FBI Special Agent ran out of the building and engaged Meehan in a gun battle.'
Detective Ferency, a 30-year veteran with the Terre Haute Police Department, was shot dead when he walked out of an FBI building on Wednesday
Shane Meehan, 44, has been charged with the murder of a federal agent and faces up to life in prison if convicted
Meehan was reportedly shot twice, though it was not immediately clear if he had been hit by bullets from Ferency's weapon or that of the FBI agent.
The suspect was allegedly able to get into his truck and fled the scene, driving himself to a local hospital for treatment - where he was found by law enforcement.
Investigators found a firearm in Meehan's pickup truck along with three Molotov Cocktails and additional ammunition.
The criminal complaint did not give any possible motive for the attack.
Meehan was interviewed in 2019 by WTWO-TV while running as an independent for mayor. He retired from working at the federal prison in Terre Haute to work at UPS.
In the resurfaced clip, Meehan told the outlet that gun violence around the nation puts children at jeopardy in schools.
'I think a lot of it has to do with the kids and what happens at home, and everything else going on around them causing a lot of pressure. A lot of things are happening that shouldn't be happening,' he said.
FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Paul Keenan called Detective Ferency a 'valued member of our FBI family' and said he had worked with the federal agency as a Task Force Officer since 2010.
'We will work day and night to carefully examine the circumstances of the shooting and we are dedicated to honoring Greg's memory through a meticulous investigation,' Keenan said.
Meehan was interviewed in 2019 by WTWO-TV while running as an independent for mayor. He retired from working at the federal prison in Terre Haute to work at UPS
The FBI is investigating the case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kate Oliver and Barry Glickman.
'Detective Ferency was assigned to the FBI Taskforce on behalf of the Terre Haute Police Department. The FBI is leading this investigation,' the Terre Haute Police Department posted on Facebook.
'Please keep the Ferency family in your prayers. Thank you for all of the kind emails, posts, and calls. It is truly appreciated.'
The shooting happened around 2 p.m. on Wednesday outside the FBI Resident Agency building in Terre Haute, according to WTHI-TV.
'We have unfortunately had an officer shot in the line of duty. Our officer has passed away. We will release more information as the case allows,' Sgt. Ryan Adamson with the Terre Haute Police Department said earlier in the day.
A western Indiana police officer was fatally shot Wednesday outside a federal office building
An investigator looks through the broken windows of a truck in the parking lot near the Regional Hospital ambulance entrance on Wednesday
Law enforcement officers from various agencies gather outside of the ambulance entrance ata hospital where the suspect was reportedly undergoing surgery for his injuries
Investigators work outside of the federal office building following the fatal shooting of Terre Haute Police Det. Greg Ferency
Sgt. Ryan Adamson of the Terre Haute Police Department confirmed on Twitter that the officer had died
State Police Sgt. Todd Ringle confirmed on Twitter that the suspect was in custody.
'A Terre Haute Police Officer was shot and killed this afternoon. My thoughts and prayers are with the Terre Haute Police Department and the officer's family. The suspect is in custody,' Ringle tweeted.
Law enforcement officials said the suspect was in surgery late Wednesday afternoon at Regional Hospital in Terre Haute. The condition of the suspect was not immediately clear.
Cops told WISH-TV that they believe the suspect drove himself to the hospital and police set up a perimeter around his truck to search it.
According to the Tribune-Star, a gold-colored Ford F-150 pickup truck was found outside the hospital with bullet holes in the window.
The Justice Department announced the charges against Meehan in a press release
Community members show their support as they stand along the sidewalk as a fallen officer procession makes its way past the Terre Haute Police Department on Wednesday
Indiana State Police Sgt. Matt Ames tweeted that there was a procession for the fallen officer leaving Union Hospital that would pass the Terre Haute Police Department Headquarters on Wednesday.
According to his LinkedIn, Ferencey was an accomplished narcotics detective who had written a book titled Narc Ops.
The book's summary on Amazon reads: 'The author explains what is going on in our War on Drugs.'
'The book explains how the police fight the battle in the covert world of illicit drug use and distribution. The reader will experience undercover buys, search warrant executions, along with everything else the police officer experiences when working this particular type of assignment.'
Ferencey had received specialized training and experience in methamphetamine related investigations, according to Police-Writers.com.
'Greg has been at the scene of over 550 methamphetamine lab scenes as both lead investigator and site safety officer since 1999,' the website reads.
'He is a court certified expert in methamphetamine and its associated clandestine labs. Greg has trained law enforcement, civilian groups, educational system employees, medical staff and correctional personnel in methamphetamine and other drug related topics.'
Investigators haven't yet determined a motive for the ambush shooting of Ferencey, pictured
The National Fraternal Order of Police, a large union for police officers, tweeted: 'Please pray for the family of the Terre Haute Police Officer who was shot and killed this afternoon in Indiana.'
'The violence against our officers MUST STOP. We are Fathers and Mothers, Sons and Daughters, Members of your Community,' the union tweeted.
Sen. Mike Braun, who represents Indiana, tweeted: 'Praying for the family of this officer killed in the line of duty today in Terre Haute, the men and women of the Terre Haute Police Department, and all Hoosier law enforcement who every day put their lives on the line to protect the communities they serve.'
DailyMail.com has reached out to the Terre Haute Police Department for more information and additional comment.
The Terre Haute shooting came as three undercover law enforcement officers were shot in Chicago while working on a case around 5:50 a.m., Chicago police Superintendent David Brown said Wednesday during a news conference.
During that shooting, a Chicago police officer and two agents with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were wounded but are expected to recover from their injuries.