An Indianapolis man was shot and killed by Indiana State Police early Thursday morning after murdering his ex-wife and fleeing the scene with her children, police said.\nMajor Jones III, 28, was fatally shot by Indiana State Trooper Terry Watson while he held a child on his lap. Watson shot Jones after Jones became agitated and pointed a gun toward the child and police officers in a “threatening manner,” according to an Indiana State Police press release.\nJones’ ex-wife, Jessica Jones, 26, was shot seven times by her ex-husband, said Vigo County Coroner Dr. Roland Kohr.\nMajor Jones had met his ex-wife at about 11 p.m. Wednesday to give her child support money, said Bill Bergherm, assistant chief of criminal investigation for the Terre Haute Police Department. They got into an argument, and Major Jones tried to shove her into his vehicle, Bergherm said. \nJessica Jones ran to the Drury Inn, located at 3040 S. US Highway 41, but could not get into the building, Bergherm said. Major Jones shot her several times before fleeing the scene with Jessica Jones’ four children in a black 2003 GMC sports utility vehicle, according to the press release. Major Jones was the father of three of the children, while one was Jessica Jones’ child from another relationship. The children ranged in age from 2 to 6 years old, according to the press release.\nTerre Haute officers located Major Jones’ vehicle driving eastbound on I-70. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but it sped up and continued to flee, according to the press release. Troopers set up stop sticks, devices used to pop car tires, to force it to stop. Officers were successful after the stop sticks deflated three of the vehicles tires, forcing Jones to stop. \nThe officers negotiated with Jones and convinced him to let three of the four children out of the vehicle. Jones held the fourth child on his lap and had a handgun in his possession, according to the press release. Watson fired one shot at Jones, killing him. \nJones was pronounced dead at the scene by the Hendricks County coroner, according to the press release. The children were not harmed and have been released to the Vigo County Department of Child Services.\nThe autopsy for Jessica Jones was performed Thursday morning at the Terre Haute Regional Hospital. Kohr said she had seven gunshot wounds, including two to her head. \n“This was obviously a domestic dispute,” Kohr said.
-The Associated Press contributed to this story.
