Charges Filed Against Man Accused Of Killing Officer

Charges have been filed against the 25-year-old accused of shooting and killing IMPD Officer Perry Renn.

Major Davis Jr. is charged with murder and if convicted could spend 45 to 65 years in prison.

Marion County Prosector Terry Curry also filed a sentence enhancement request for use of a firearm in the murder, which could result in an additional 20 years in prison.

But, Curry also says the death penalty could be considered.

“That decision has not been made at this point in time,” said Curry.  “We will follow the same procedure that we follow in any homicide in which there are aggravating circumstances that justify consideration of death penalty or life without parole.”

“The intentional killing of a police officer is an aggravating circumstance that justifies consideration of that ultimate penalty,” Curry added.

Davis used an AK-47 assault rifle in the shooting. The gun was legally purchased by his mother, Cynthia Davis, in 2010.

“There is no reason to believe that the purchase was illegal in anyway,” said Curry.

Renn was struck by three rounds in the shootout. The fatal round entered just under the right armpit and struck his lung and heart. Another round went through his vest entering his lower abdomen and exiting his right chest and a third round hit him in the calf.

Police Chief Rick Hite says he is proud of Renn and the other officers who responded to the call, Saturday night.

“He chose to engage them in battle, the officers returned fire.  We are trained to do just that.  We’ve been given the oath to do just that, to render peace in our community and remove those weapons from the street,” said Hite.  “The bigger, better question is, why would he be in that area at that time during a cookout with that weapon?  Why wasn’t he, and let’s face it, joining the rest of his family, the rest of the community in a spirit of peace?”

“In fact, if we have he and other members of the community who continue to brandish these types of weapons, why aren’t they in prison,” Hite continued.

Fraternal Order of Police President Bill Owensby says having charges filed is the first step in the recovery process.

“If you put yourselves in the position of the officer's family, this would be a healing piece of this puzzle, to know that the person responsible for this is going to face criminal penalties,” he said.

Davis was wounded in the shootout, and is listed in stable condition in Eskanazi Hospital.

Once he is released, he is expected to be taken to the Marion County Jail and Owensby believes Davis will be held without bond.

An initial court hearing has not been scheduled.

You can read the charging information and probable cause affidavit here.