Vermillion County - Detectives from the Indiana State Police Putnamville Post have been requested by Sheriff Mike Phelps to investigate an accidental shooting, involving a Vermillion County Deputy, that took place on November 17, 2022, at South Vermillion High School, in Clinton, Indiana.

At approximately 9:35 a.m., Deputy Tim DisPennett, a nineteen year veteran of the Vermillion County Sheriff’s Department, was instructing a law enforcement class at South Vermillion High School. The classroom instruction was based on law enforcement scenarios. During the course of the instruction, Deputy DisPennett accidentally discharged his service weapon striking a student in the classroom.

Medical assistance was immediately rendered to the student that was injured. The student was subsequently transported to a local hospital in Terre Haute, with non-life threatening injuries.

The investigation is being conducted by Indiana State Police detectives, Jason Schoffstall, Don Curtis, and Mike Featherling, with the assistance of First Sergeant Brian Maudlin and CSI Sergeant Brandon Mullen.

Deputy DisPennett has been placed on administrative leave, which is customary in these types of situations.

This is an active and ongoing Indiana State Police investigation. There is no further information to release at this time. Upon completion of the investigation, Indiana State Police detectives will submit a full report of the incident to the Vermillion County Prosecutor’s Office for review.