Investigation into shooting that wounded IMPD officer continues

INDIANAPOLIS – An eight-year veteran of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) is in good condition at Methodist Hospital after being wounded in an early morning shooting. It happened around 3:20 a.m. in the 1100 block of McDougal Street after officers responded to a call of noises outside a home. Upon arrival, officers located the complainant who told them gunshots had been fired throughout the night from a nearby home, damaging her residence.

Officers were walking with the resident towards the home when shots were fired at them. The officer was hit in the left forearm, with the bullet lodging in his body armor. With the help of assisting officers, he was rushed from the scene to a waiting ambulance and taken to Methodist Hospital.

The IMPD officer has been identified as Southeast District Patrol Officer Mark Reynolds, who has been with the department since April 2007.  Officer Reynolds underwent successful surgery to repair a broken arm as a result of the shooting.

Officers were able to determine the shots were being actively fired from a residence directly next to the home where the officer was wounded. A perimeter was established around the home, with the shooter – identified as 50-year-old Roger Hawkins – remaining barricaded inside. Hawkins continued to sporadically fire shots from inside the residence.

The IMPD SWAT team responded and, over the next three hours, negotiators attempted to convince him to surrender peacefully. However, Hawkins continued to fire his gun from inside the home. When further negotiations with him to surrender peacefully were unsuccessful, chemical agents were thrown into the house. Hawkins eventually exited the residence and the SWAT team used less-lethal beanbag rounds to subdue him and take him into custody.

Hawkins has been preliminarily charged with two counts of attempted murder and criminal recklessness. He currently is at the Arrestee Processing Center. A mugshot is unavailable at this time. A final charging decision will be determined by the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to our officer and his family for a speedy recovery,” IMPD Chief Troy Riggs said.  “This incident could have resulted in a number of casualties, but I am proud of our officers for bringing this incident to a peaceful resolution. I would like to thank the community for their outpouring of concern and support for our wounded officer. I’d also like to thank all the public safety and medical professionals who assisted us today.”