Former firefighter on lawnmower shot

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - A man dismissed from the Lafayette Fire Department in 2009 was shot after he threatened West Lafayette Police with a handgun today, according to police. 

( Gallery: Photos of scene, evidence )

Just after 9:00 a.m. Friday morning, the West Lafayette Police Department received calls notifying them that the suspect, 42-year-old Eric William Tendam, was driving a lawnmower in the area of Hayes Street and Sylvia Street near the Purdue Visitor Center.

Police said Tendam was observed running a stop sign, nearly causing a crash. Police said Officer Michael Max, a 24-year-veteran, turned on his emergency lights and followed Tendam, but that Tendam disregarded the lights.

Police said Max pulled up near Tendam and requested that he pull over, and Tendam waved a handgun at the officer.

Officer Mark Ridge was approaching the scene from the opposite direction. Police said when Tendam saw Ridge, he got off the lawnmower, pulled a handgun from his waistband, and advanced toward Ridge.

Police said this was when officers opened fire and shot Tendam more than once.

West Lafayette Police Troy Harris said Tendam was believed to be hit once in the leg and once the arm.

Tendam was taken to one of the Lafayette Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health hospitals for treatment of non-lifethreatening injuries. He was later transferred to an Indianapolis hospital.

Officers said that upon investigation, the handgun turned out to be a handgun replica pellet gun.

The West Lafayette Police Department said Tandam will face a preliminary charge of felony intimidation with a weapon, more charges could follow.  

Suspect dismissed from Lafayette Fire Department in 2009:

Tendam was dismissed from the Lafayette Fire Department in February 2009 for conduct unbecoming to a firefighter.

The dismissal followed a fire at Tendam's house near Battle Ground, during which police said Tendam tried to stop firefighters from putting out the flames. Tendam was charged with two counts of arson.