Scott A. Cooper : “Fatal shooting on Liberty Drive”

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Bloomington authorities have apprehended a homeless individual on charges of murder after he was discovered sleeping in a van near a deceased individual. The suspect, identified as Scott A. Cooper, a 56-year-old transient man, was taken into custody by officers of the Bloomington Police Department on Tuesday morning. Cooper has been preliminarily charged with murder in connection to the incident.

The Bloomington Police Department received a call to investigate a shooting death, leading to the arrest of Cooper. Officers were dispatched to a parking lot in the 2100 block of S. Liberty Drive at approximately 6:20 a.m. after a report of an unconscious person. Upon arrival, they found a man who had sustained a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at the scene.

During their investigation, detectives located a van parked nearby with a bullet hole through the windshield. In another nearby van, they discovered Cooper sleeping. Following a brief conversation with the suspect, officers detained him and transported him to the police headquarters for further questioning.

Subsequently, both vans, including the one with the bullet hole and the van where Cooper was found, were towed from the scene after investigators obtained search warrants. Inside the 2006 Chrysler Town & Country van where Cooper was asleep, authorities found a loaded .380 caliber handgun.

After being interviewed by BPD investigators, Cooper was taken into custody and booked on a charge of felony murder at the Monroe County Jail. The deceased individual is scheduled for an autopsy as authorities work to notify their next of kin. No additional details have been provided at this time.

It is imperative for law enforcement to conduct a thorough investigation to ensure justice is served in cases of this nature. The Bloomington Police Department is committed to upholding the law and ensuring the safety of the community.