Published: June 19, 2007 04:48 pm      

Press conference adds shooting details

15-year-old shot himself, police say

NEW ALBANY — Key points of the 1:30 p.m. press conference today regarding the shooting death of Floyd County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Frank Denzinger. Fellow Deputy Joel White also was wounded by 15-year-old Tyler Dumstorf, who later killed himself.



• The body of the shooter, 15-year-old Tyler Dumstorf, was found in an upstairs bedroom by a robot borrowed from a Kentucky Sheriff’s Department. He died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, but police did not say whether he used the same gun he used to shoot the two officers.

• Joel White has been upgraded from critical to serious condition. Sheriff Darrell Mills said he was shot in the lower back. The bullet missed his bullet-resistant vest.

• Officer Frank Denzinger suffered a fatal gunshot wound at the scene. Lt. Frank Loop said the bullet entered through his side in between the panels of his bullet-resistant vest. The bullet exited through his chest and became lodged between his body and the vest.

• The weapon used was a M1 Garand, 30-aught-6 — a World War II relic, high-powered rifle. The gun reportedly belonged to Dumstorf’s father, James Dumstorf.

• Indiana State Police spokesman Sgt. Jerry Goodin said the officers were dispatched to the home at 6:17 p.m. Monday to handle an “unruly juvenile.” White and Denzinger were shot as they walked into the driveway to speak with Tyler Dumstorf’s mother and aunt, who were standing in the driveway. Denzinger reportedly pushed the aunt to the ground after he had been shot.

• Floyd County Prosecutor Keith Henderson said Tyler Dumstorf was “proficient” with the gun used, as he regularly went target shooting with his dad.

• The shooter’s father, James Dumstorf, was arrested at the scene with a friend for public intoxication.

• Tyler Dumstorf was scheduled to appear in juvenile court this morning for a misdemeanor marijuana-possession charge.

• Donations can be made to the Frank Denzinger Memorial Fund at First Harrison Bank, 812-923-5578.