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Noah Shahnavaz: Officer SHOT DEAD during traffic stop, suspect caught after high-speed chase

Carl Roy Webb Boards II is facing charges including murder, possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon and resisting law enforcement

A young police officer was shot dead in the line of duty during a routine traffic stop, after which the suspect led authorities on a high-speed chase.

Noah Shahnavaz, 24, died around 2 am on Sunday, July 21, when 42-year-old Carl Roy Webb Boards II allegedly fired multiple shots and struck him at least once during the traffic stop. Indiana State Police Sergeant Scott P Keegan said the motive for the shooting is currently unknown. The police chase started after Boards allegedly fled the Elwood, Indiana scene in his 2012 Buick LaCrosse. Hamilton County Police ramped up the pursuit about half an hour later as the suspect was headed southbound on State Road 37 towards Interstate 69.

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Authorities successfully deployed a tire deflation device, but it didn't stop Boards from continuing down the road. Fishers Police Department personnel conducted two Precision Immobilization Techniques as the suspect was entering Interstate 69, leading to the vehicle striking a guardrail median. Boards then surrendered himself and is currently being held at the Hamilton County Jail without bond. “This is a sorrowful time for law enforcement and definitely the community of Elwood,” Keegan said, adding, “It's always a sad moment when an officer sacrifices his life in the duty of service to the community." Shahnavaz, who served with the force for 11 months after spending five years in the military, is survived by his heartbroken parents and siblings.

“Today has definitely been a challenge,” Elwood Mayor Todd Jones said in a statement. “How do you put into words the feelings and emotions that we're all experiencing here today? Noah proudly wore the Elwood Police Department uniform, serving the citizens of Elwood, he was part of our city family. On behalf of myself, my family, and a most grateful city, I'm asking you to keep Noah's family, Noah's friends, the Elwood Police Department, and our city in your thoughts and prayers as we attempt to navigate through this tragic time."

Boards is expected to face charges including murder, possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, resisting law enforcement, and the use of a firearm enhancement on Monday, August 1. Andrew Hannah, chief deputy prosecutor in Madison County, said the firearm enhancement charge carries additional sentencing penalties and that the suspect would also be charged with habitual offender enhancement considering his criminal history.

Boards was previously charged with battery by means of a deadly weapon, among others, per state records. Over the years, he has also been charged with drug offenses, battery with a deadly weapon, resisting law enforcement, and possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon. Hannah said his office will determine whether or not to charge Boards with the death penalty after “reviewing all of the evidence and discussions with the family and all those involved."

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“Telling Noah's story is going to be really important not just for the community but for the Elwood PD and for all of our chosen professions," State Police Superintendent Doug Carter said in a statement, adding, "This young man served this country for five years and chose to come back and serve a local community and these senseless acts of violence perpetuate our society and none of us understand why, but I'm confident here in Madison that the right things will occur.”

According to Carter, Noah's family wants to tell his story to the public but is seeking privacy at this difficult time. Meanwhile, authorities are planning to set up a Chase Bank account to collect donations for the devastated family, WTHR reported.