Investigators Release Final Report on Shootout That Killed Officer Polizzotto

by Leanne Tokars (ltokars@wsbt.com)

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Corporal Nick Polizzotto South Bend Police Scott Barnaby Michael Norby Wooden Indian

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Nov 13, 2007 at 5:58 PM EST

Story Updated: Apr 6, 2008 at 11:23 PM EST

(WSBT) Investigators released their final report on the shooting death of Corporal Nick Polizzotto. He was killed in a shootout in April at the Wooden Indian Motel.

Officer Michael Norby was also shot and injured.

The gunman — Scott Barnaby — was killed in that shootout.

There have been a lot of rumors about this case, and that's why investigators wanted to set the facts straight.

Their conclusion — the death of Scott Barnaby is justifiable homicide.

Investigators say in less than 90 seconds the police officers got to the second floor of the Wooden Indian Motel, approached Scott Barnaby, Patrolman Norby noticed Barnaby's suspicious behavior and attempted to handcuff him, and Barnaby pulled a gun.

Investigators say the gun was much smaller than the human hand and easily hidden. That's when investigators say Barnaby shot Norby in the shoulder.

"Officer Polizzotto responds by grabbing hold of Mr. Barnaby to keep him from shooting Officer Norby any further, a wrestling match ensues and they go to the ground. More shots are fired where Officer Polizzotto was shot," explained Capt. Michael Grzegorek of Metro Homicide.

Polizzotto was shot in the arm and upper torso. It was less than 90 seconds that meant the difference between life and death.

Investigators say next Norby, running on adrenaline, fired five shots hitting Barnaby three times in the head.

“I think all of them did a fantastic job," Grzegorek said. "Unfortunately the situation is what it is, and Officer Polizzotto lost his life. He died as a hero the same as all the other guys out there that acted and responded the way they did, they were all heroes.”

It was all sparked when Barnaby was accused of randomly firing a gun on the street.

Tuesday, investigators say they learned that earlier in the night there was some sort of confrontation between Barnaby and another person at a bar over a woman.

They don't know if that's what set Barnaby off in the first place, but his family also claimed he was schizophrenic and they believe he wasn't taking his medicine.

Investigators met with both the Polizzotto and Barnaby families to explain their report. They say it was hard on both families because both lost a child.

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