By Trend News Line 2024-05-08 22:26:05.
**Who is Scott A. Cooper?**
Scott A. Cooper, a 56-year-old transient man, found himself in the spotlight this week after being arrested by Bloomington police Department officers in connection to a murder case. Cooper, who is homeless, has been preliminarily charged with murder after allegedly firing a gun at a victim in a parking lot in Bloomington.
**The Incident**
The Bloomington Police Department was called to a parking lot in the 2100 block of S. Liberty Drive after a caller reported finding an unconscious person. Upon arrival, officers discovered a man on the ground in front of a blue Chrysler Town & Country van with a gunshot wound to the chest. The victim, who has not been identified, was pronounced dead at the scene.
**Cooper’s Claims**
During the investigation, officers noticed a bullet hole in the windshield of the van, indicating that the shot was fired from inside. They found Cooper sleeping inside the van and took him in for questioning. Cooper reportedly admitted to firing a shot at the victim because he was “tired of this sh*t.” However, he claimed that he did not believe he had killed the man and suggested that a mannequin was being used as a decoy for the body.
**Cooper’s Version of Events**
According to court documents, Cooper told detectives that he had an argument with the victim the night before the incident. He claimed that he fired a warning shot through his windshield after pointing a handgun at the victim, who he said was engaging in inappropriate behaviour near his van. Cooper alleged that he periodically checked on the victim throughout the night and was told that he was fine.
**The Investigation**
Detectives noted that Cooper’s statements were erratic and inconsistent. He claimed that the victim was doped up and that the man in a white truck owned by the victim was “playing around” without providing clear explanations. When informed that the victim had died from the gunshot wound, Cooper allegedly became upset and denied the claims, stating that he had seen a mannequin, not a real person.
**Further Investigation**
BPD officers obtained search warrants for both the blue van and the white truck. Inside the van, they found a gun safe with ammunition and a Ruger pistol equipped with a laser sight. Cooper was subsequently arrested and booked on a charge of felony murder. An initial hearing in his case is scheduled for Thursday, May 9 in Monroe County Court.
In a bizarre turn of events, Cooper’s claims about the victim being a mannequin have raised questions about his mental state and the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to uncover the truth behind this tragic incident in Bloomington..
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