Trooper shot during traffic stop

Jeffersonville—An Indiana State Trooper was shot in the head during a traffic stop in Jeffersonville Tuesday evening.

According to Indiana State Police, Trooper Morgenn Evans, who is assigned to the Sellersburg Post, stopped a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado at the Park and Jefferson streets intersection for a traffic infraction at about 7:05 p.m.

During the stop, the driver, Oscar Kays, 79, of Huston Drive, Jeffersonville, allegedly became combative and pulled a handgun and shot at Trooper Evans. Evans was struck in the head but was able to return shots at Kays while he was fleeing the scene.

Evans got back to his police car and gave chase a short distance but Kays was able to escape. He returned to his home on Huston Drive where he was taken into custody by the Jeffersonville City Police Department and the Clark County Sheriff’s Department.

Evans was transported to the University of Louisville Hospital in Louisville with non-life threatening injuries.

Kays was transported to the University of Louisville Hospital in Louisville with unknown injuries. At this time it is unknown if Evans’ shots wounded Kays or if he was wounded by his own gun or debris from the shots fired.

After his release from the University of Louisville Hospital Oscar Kays was charged with attempted murder of a police officer and incarcerated at the Clark County Jail.

Evans has been a trooper since October of 2016. His photo in uniform is attached to this release.