Death penalty sought for accused cop killer in Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS - A prosecutor will seek the death penalty against a 25-year-old Indiana man accused of fatally shooting a police officer, reports CBS affiliate WISH.

Major Davis Jr. is charged with murder in the death of Officer Perry Renn on July 5 in Indianapolis, according to the station. Renn was a 22-year veteran of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. Davis has pleaded not guilty in the case.

According to the probable cause affidavit, police arrived at the scene on the city's east side to find the suspect armed with an AK-47-style weapon. Officers said he initially refused to show his hands and then began firing at them. Police returned fire. An autopsy revealed that Renn was struck by three rounds during the shootout and died after one of the bullets pierced his right lung and heart.

Davis was critically injured in the firefight, the affidavit states. The gun he used was reportedly purchased by his mother.

"It is clear that there are those in our city who believe that our police officers are fair game," said Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry. "Make no mistake, we will prosecute you to the maximum extent possible under the law."

WISH reports Curry said that two aggravating circumstances support a death penalty case: that Davis allegedly killed Renn while the victim was on-duty and that the murder was motivated by an act the officer carried out in the course of his responsibility as a policeman.

"I want to thank Prosecutor Terry Curry and his office for their careful consideration of all the facts before making this difficult decision," Renn's wife, Lynn, said in a statement.

Davis is due back in court Sept. 3 for a pre-trial hearing, according to the station.