COLUMBUS, Ind. – The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) responded to Columbus Regional Health (CRH) Thursday at around 9:20 p.m. after a report of a domestic battery victim seeking treatment. The initial investigation determined that a female had suffered significant injuries to her head, arms, and neck area.
The suspect was identified as Derick Harris, 42, of Columbus. Deputies went to his residence, 2950 S. Lake Dr., and briefly spoke with him through an exterior door but he refused to exit the home or allow them inside. He then cut off communication and several attempts to re-establish communication were unsuccessful.
Law enforcement surrounded the residence and a search warrant was obtained.
Based on information gathered during the investigation, there were several firearms inside the home, so the Columbus SWAT Team was activated. BCSO drones were used to locate the suspect inside the residence. SWAT entered the house and took Harris into custody without further incident.
Harris was transported to CRH for evaluation and jail clearance. He was then taken to Bartholomew County Jail and booked on the charges of Domestic Battery with Serious Bodily Injury, Strangulation, and Resisting Law Enforcement. He was put on a 48-hour hold.
This is a preliminary investigation. All persons are innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Harris-Courtesy-BCSO