Court records detail events before officer accidentally shot himself

Clark Wright (L) Jeremiah Watts (R)

The two men who were arrested on Main Street on Wednesday afternoon have been charged, according to court documents. A South Bend Police officer accidentally shot himself in the leg while arresting one of the suspects.

On Wednesday afternoon, a man contacted police about an armed robbery that happened on Main Street.

The victim told police he was having an argument with a man who was in a group of homeless men when a man wearing a green hat and green striped shirt put a gun to the back of his head and said, "What the [expletive deleted] up man?" reports said.

The victim said he turned toward the man and saw the man with the gun.

He got away and reported the incident to police.

An officer drove the victim around the area and he pointed out the suspect to police, reports said.

Two officers arrived to the scene and located the suspect in the green hat and green striped shirt in the parking lot of Our Lady of the Road.

After one of the officers told the suspect, 46-year-old Clark Wright, to stop, he walked behind a dumpster in the parking lot, police said.

The man was taken into custody.

Once he was in custody, officers located a handgun on top of the trash inside the dumpster he had walked behind, according to police.

While officers were arresting Wright, another man, 37-year-old Jeremiah Watts, approached the officers accusing them of using excessive force.

Officers ordered Watts to stay back. He acted as though he was going to comply, but then turned towards officers.

As officers took Watts to the ground, a utility knife fell out of his clothing to the ground, according to police.

Watts was charged with resisting law enforcement. He is scheduled to be arraigned Monday, September 24th.

Wright was charged with intimidation, pointing a firearm and carrying a handgun without a license. His arraignment is scheduled for Monday, September 24th.

Officer Joshua Morgan accidentally shot himself in the leg while arresting Wright.

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