On Thursday, November 14, 2024, just after 4:15 p.m., Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) North District officers were called to a business at 1545 North Meridian to check the welfare of an individual. Officers learned the individual was unresponsive inside a parked car near the front of the business’s drive thru. Officers learned, prior to their arrival, employees were unsuccessful in getting the driver to respond.
Officers approached the vehicle, knocked on the window several times, shined a flashlight at the driver, and activated their sirens and lights — all in an attempt to make contact with the driver.
After approximately four minutes, the adult male driver opened his window and made contact with one of the responding officers through a rolled-down front passenger window. That officer asked the driver to unlock the vehicle and put the car in park. The suspect unlocked the passenger door and the officer opened it.
Through an open passenger door, that officer asked the driver, “are you okay?” He then asked the driver to get out of the vehicle and told the driver they were concerned about his welfare.
The suspect then got out of the vehicle. The second officer, who was near the driver side door, told the suspect he was trying to make contact with him for several minutes. He also asked the suspect to come towards the back of the vehicle to make sure he was okay.
The suspect did not listen to the officers and then got back into his car while the driver door was still open. The officer, near the driver side of the car, then grabbed suspect’s arm and told him to get out of car.
At that point, the suspect reversed the vehicle, pinning the officer between the vehicle and the wall, striking the officer with the driver side door. The officer on the passenger side then discharged his firearm, striking the suspect at least once.
The officers continued to give loud verbal commands for the suspect to show his hands, get out of the vehicle, and get on the ground. The officer then told the suspect to move towards the front of the vehicle, telling him, “move this way now.”
The suspect then excited the vehicle and laid on the ground. Officers approached and handcuffed him. An IMPD officer then applied a tourniquet to the suspect’s arm.
Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services (IEMS) was staged in the parking lot of the business prior to the officer-involved shooting due to the initial run to check the welfare.
While the initial officer was giving loud verbal commands, an IEMS medic went to the officer who was laying on the ground and dragged the officer away from the suspect’s car. The injured officer was then provided aid from staged medics.
The officer who was struck by the vehicle was transported to a local hospital in good condition. The suspect driver was also taken to a local hospital in stable condition.
No uninvolved citizens or uninvolved officers were injured during this incident.
Multiple officers were equipped with body-worn cameras, which were activated during this incident.
The Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency responded to identify and collect potential forensic evidence.
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO) is being consulted throughout the investigation.
Detectives are confident there is no ongoing threat to the community and there are no additional suspects involved.
The IMPD Critical Incident Response Team responded to the scene to conduct the criminal investigation.
A separate administrative investigation is being conducted by IMPD Internal Affairs. The officer who fired his gun has been placed on administrative leave as is standard procedure in an officer involved shooting investigation.
The civilian-majority Use of Force Review Board will conduct a mandatory hearing for any attempted use of deadly force against a person. This occurs after the conclusion of the criminal process.
The Police Officer Support Team (POST) responded to provide peer support for officers. The IMPD Chaplain’s Office responded to assist with those involved.
The IMPD Victims Assistance unit responded to assist officers, detectives, and community members.
