Sterling Ray Templeton

Sterling Ray Templeton, 34, North CR 700E, Leesburg, has preliminarily been charged with possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, a level 4 felony. The charges are a result of this morning’s incident in Pierceton.

His bond is set at $20,000 surety.

The affidavit of probable cause, released by the Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office, states following a search of the vehicle, a 25 caliber handgun was found between the passenger seat and the center console of a vehicle. Police learned, after an investigation, Templeton was convicted of robbery on Dec. 14, 1998, in Kosciusko County Superior Court.

Templeton was a passenger in a vehicle Pierceton Police Officer Matt Owens attempted to stop. The black Dodge had no registration plate light resulting in the attempted traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle refused to stop and sped away. The vehicle then struck a corner post at the end of West Tower Street.

Both the driver, alleged to be Dalen Anthony Ousley, 29, Fort Wayne, and Templeton fled from the vehicle with Owens hearing a gun shot. Owens gave chase, catching the passenger, Templeton. During an attempt to locate the driver of the vehicle another gun shot was heard.

Officers found the driver, Ousley behind vehicles at the location, deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.