Teen charged with shooting EPD officer named suspect in earlier shots fired incident

HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – The Evansville teen accused of injuring Officer Sam Taylor during a shooting last month has now been named as a suspect in an earlier shots fired incident.

18-year-old Jailani Chew is accused of shooting Officer Taylor while attempting to flee from a stolen vehicle on September 21. It was reported shortly after the incident that Officer Taylor’s injuries may result in him being unable to use his legs.

According to a release from Evansville Police, officers were dispatched to the 700 block of East Chandler Avenue on September 19 after callers reported shots fired in the area. Officers arrived at the scene and were able to collect numerous shell casings from the location.

Evansville Police say the gun that was used to shoot Officer Taylor was determined to be the same weapon that fired the shell casings on Chandler Avenue just a few days before. Chew is currently in custody, and a warrant has been issued and is expected to be served at the Vanderburgh County Jail.

The Fraternity of Police Lodge #73 says Officer Taylor is in good spirits and expected to return home soon.