BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — A homeless man has been arrested for murder in Bloomington after police discovered him sleeping in a van near a deceased individual. The suspect, identified as Scott A. Cooper, 56, was taken into custody by Bloomington Police Department officers following a report of a shooting death.
The incident unfolded early Tuesday morning when authorities were alerted to an unconscious person in a parking lot on S. Liberty Drive. Upon arrival, officers found a man who had sustained a fatal gunshot wound to his chest. Detectives then located a van nearby with a bullet hole through the windshield, where Cooper was discovered sleeping inside another van.
After engaging with the suspect, Cooper was detained and transported to the police headquarters for further questioning. Subsequently, both vans were towed by investigators for examination with search warrants. Inside one of the vans, a loaded .380 caliber handgun was recovered.
Following an interrogation by law enforcement officials, Cooper was taken to Monroe County Jail and charged with felony murder. Authorities have scheduled an autopsy for the deceased victim as they work to notify next of kin. Limited details have been released regarding the case, leaving the community in shock as they await further updates from the investigation.
The arrest of Cooper serves as a somber reminder of the challenges faced by the homeless population and the complexities surrounding incidents of violence within communities. As law enforcement continues to delve into the circumstances leading up to the shooting, residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to authorities in an effort to maintain safety and security.