NEW ALBANY, Ind. –– Detectives with the Indiana State Police in Sellersburg continue to investigate the double-murder, kidnapping and police-involved shooting that occurred on Monday in New Albany.
Detectives said Cherok Ameer Douglass, 37, of New Albany, murdered his wife and a customer in the parking lot of a New Albany gas station on Monday. He then led police on a pursuit. That pursuit ended on Charlestown Road when Douglass fled on foot into a local restaurant, taking a female hostage at gunpoint and forcing her into her SUV. Douglass then allegedly attempted to hit a police officer with the car before being shot by responding officers and crashing the car into the back of the restaurant.
Upon review of the probable cause, the Floyd County Superior Court issued a warrant charging Cherok Ameer Douglass with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder in addition to the original charges of felony kidnapping and robbery.
Douglass was extradited from Kentucky on Wednesday, and is currently in the Floyd County Jail.
One of the deceased has been identified as Brandee Kay Douglass, 38, the wife of Cherok Douglass.
At this time, investigators are releasing the name of the second homicide victim from the double-murder that occurred at Grant Line and Beechwood Avenue.
The victim was Lorin M. Yelle, 43, of Louisville, Kentucky. At this point in the investigation, detectives do not believe there was any connection between Yelle and Cherok or Brandee Douglass. Investigators believe Yelle was a customer of the gas station where the shootings took place and was shot after exiting the store and walking to his vehicle.
Autopsies in the case are scheduled for Monday. This investigation is ongoing.
