Man shot by police officer charged with gun crimes
Pike County – The Pike County Prosecutor’s Office has filed criminal charges against Michael Woodland, 37, of Petersburg, for Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon.
Woodland was shot by Petersburg police officer Chad Tharp when he responded to a domestic disturbance at 1012 Trafzer Street in Petersburg on Monday, July 23.
When Tharp arrived Woodland exited the house carrying a 7.62 caliber semi-automatic rifle and refused to put it down. Woodland started to raise the weapon toward Tharp and Tharp shot Woodland.
Woodland was airlifted to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville where he was treated for serious injuries.
Woodland was later released and was jailed for a parole violation. Corporal Tharp was not injured during the incident.
Woodland was convicted of Conspiracy to Deal in Schedule II Substance on June 30, 2005, in Pike Circuit Court. This conviction qualified as a predicate offense making the possession of the rifle a Class B Felony. Woodland is currently being held in the Pike County Jail on a $250,000 bond.
An investigation into Tharp’s actions by the Pike County Prosecutor’s Office determined they were warranted in the situation.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
