DATE: October 23, 2024
SUBJECT: Deputies Arrest Suspect Waving Hatchets
RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-NR-1023
CONTACT: Major Matt Corn
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Noah Robinson
On Tuesday, October 22nd at 6:41 PM, deputies were dispatched to the area of N. Saint Joseph Ave. and Allens Ln. in reference to a male subject reportedly waving two hatchets around and talking to himself. Witnesses advised that prior the the arrival of deputies, the subject was screaming at people in the area and had walked out in front of traffic at one point and stuck a vehicle.
Deputies located the suspect, later identified as 37 year old Matthew Salat, in the parking lot of Casey’s General Store at 3100 N. Saint Joseph Av. When deputies encountered Salat, he was holding two silver hatches and yelling in the parking lot. Deputies instructed Salat to drop the weapons and he complied; however, he refused to follow any other commands and made statements that unknown people were, “following him” and, “trying to kill him.” Additionally, Salat began repeatedly yelling, “Just shoot me!” He then said, “I`d rather just walk backwards into traffic right now.”
On scene deputies were trained in both crisis intervention and negotiations and attempted to deescalate the situation; however, Salat began to walk towards traffic on on N. Saint Joseph Ave. and refused commands to stop. The suspect was able to make it into the median on N. Saint Joseph Ave., in close proximity to oncoming traffic, before deputies were able to catch up with him. He continue to pull away and struggled with deputies and he was taken to the ground for control purposes. Once on the ground, Salat continued to fight with deputies but they were able to secure him in handcuffs.
One of the arresting deputies sustained a deep laceration to the knee while arresting Salat, while the other received minor lacerations. The suspect stated he was not injured but was evaluated by personnel with American Medical Response (AMR) as a precaution. He was later transported to the Vanderburgh County Jail where he was placed on suicide precautions and booked on the below charges. Prior to the suspect’s release from custody, a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) evaluation will be completed by confinement staff to determine if further medical or mental health care is required.
Suspect: Matthew Quinn Salat
Charges: 1. Resisting Law Enforcement Resulting in Bodily Injury (L6), 2. Disorderly Conduct (BM)
Presumption of Innocence Notice: The fact that a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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