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
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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
