Man convicted of attempted murder of police officer in Anderson gas station shooting
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LOCAL MAN FOUND GUILTY OF ATTEMPTED MURDER OF POLICE OFFICER
A 40-year-old Anderson man has been found guilty of attempting to murder a police officer during a violent shootout at a local gas station.
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According to a news release from the Madison County Prosecutor’s Office, a jury delivered the guilty verdict against Ross Morelock in connection with the May 7, 2024, shooting that left Pendleton Police Officer Jerry Branson injured and hospitalized for a month.
The incident occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m. at a Get Go gas station at the intersection of Broadway Street and West School Street, on the north side of Anderson.
Branson was searching for a vehicle involved in a May 1, 2024, crash on I-69 when he stopped a black Mercedes sedan matching the license plate number. The driver, 23-year-old Amelia Peters, was arrested and taken into custody, while Morelock remained in the passenger seat.
Morelock ignored commands to keep his hands visible, and Branson was forced to point his department-issued handgun at him. However, Morelock produced a handgun and pointed it at the officer, prompting a 10-second shootout in which Branson received a 1-inch graze wound to his shoulder. Morelock also shot himself in the head.
The jury found Morelock guilty of attempted murder, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of a firearm by a serious violent offender. He has also pleaded guilty to the Habitual Offender Enhancement and Felony Firearm Enhancement, which could add significant time to his prison sentence.
Sentencing has been set for April 15, with a maximum possible sentence of 80 years. During the investigation, an internal review cleared Branson of any wrongdoing in the shooting.
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By Gregg Montgomery,
10 hours ago
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