Full Notification

INCIDENT TYPE: **UPDATE #2** Officers Stabbed Followed by an Officer-Involved Shooting
 
INCIDENT LOCATION: 1400 block of Fairfield Avenue

INDIANAPOLIS - Following threat assessments related to the officer-involved shooting on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, in the 1400 block of Fairfield Avenue, IMPD Chief Randal Taylor identified the officers involved as 21-year veteran Officer Stephen Elliott and 4-year veteran Officer Ryne Lane.
 
IMPD will continue to be fair and transparent with our community while protecting the integrity of criminal investigations and officer safety. IMPD formalized a policy in 2020 which outlines when and how officers involved in critical incidents should be identified to the public. This policy solidifies IMPD’s practice of conducting a threat assessment by the IMPD Intelligence Unit following a critical incident and prior to releasing the names of the officers involved to protect the officer and their families. This policy ensures information is provided to the public as soon as possible. 
 
This incident is being investigated by IMPD’s Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT). Detectives are working with the Marion County Prosecutors Office and the Marion County Forensic Services Agency to complete a fair and thorough investigation.
 
IMPD’s Internal Affairs Unit is conducting a separate internal investigation to ensure compliance with departmental policy, as is standard procedure in an officer-involved shooting.  
 
The civilian-majority Use of Force Review Board will conduct a mandatory review of this incident as it does for any use of deadly force against a person. This occurs after the conclusion of the criminal process.
 

INCIDENT TYPE:  UPDATE #1 Officers Stabbed Followed by an Officer-Involved Shooting
 
INCIDENT LOCATION:  1400 block of Fairfield Avenue
 
ASSIGNED DETECTIVE: Sergeant Michael Duke; 317-327-3475; [email protected]
**Media inquiries should be submitted to [email protected]. 
 
An arrest has been made following this morning’s incident where two officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) were stabbed and involved in an officer-involved shooting. This occurred on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at approximately 1:15 am, in the 1400 block of Fairfield Avenue.  The information provided is preliminary and subject to change.
 
Shortly after 1:00 am, IMPD North District officers responded to a reported disturbance in the 1400 block of Fairfield Avenue.
 
Upon arrival, officers came into contact with an adult male who was standing in the street.  That man, later identified as 20-year-old Deonta Williams, reported another individual had been harassing him.  Officers told Williams they would attempt to locate the person involved.  The officers turned, began walking away to continue the investigation, and were stabbed by Williams.  Williams was armed with multiple knives, which were recovered at the scene (See attached photos). 
 
One of the knives Williams’ was armed with was found broken (Photo #3 & #4) following the incident.
 
The two officers discharged their service weapons striking Williams.  Responding officers provided medical treatment to the two injured officers who were then transported by IMPD officers to Eskenazi Hospital in stable condition.  One officer was stabbed in the neck and the other stabbed in the chest.  The officer stabbed in the neck remains under medical care in good condition.  The officer stabbed in the chest has been released.
   
After arriving on-scene, officers provided Williams with medical attention.  Indianapolis Emergency Medical Service (IEMS) responded to the scene and transported Williams to Methodist Hospital. He since has been released from the hospital and was arrested.
 
No other officers or other citizens were injured during this incident.
 
Multiple officers had body-worn cameras which were activated at the time of the incident. 
 
The IMPD Critical Incident Response Team responded to the scene to conduct the criminal investigation. The Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency is assisting with this investigation.
 
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO) responded to the scene and is being consulted throughout the investigation. 
 
Williams was arrested and is preliminarily charged with two counts of attempted murder. The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office will make all final charging decisions.  Williams should be considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.  
 
The Police Officer Support Team (POST) responded to provide peer support for officers.
 
A separate administrative investigation is being conducted by IMPD Internal Affairs. The officers who fired their guns have 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 use of deadly force against a person.  This occurs after the conclusion of the criminal process.
 
Detectives continue to canvass the area for witnesses and other evidence. Anyone with information is asked to call Sergeant Michael Duke at 317-327-3475 or by e-mail at [email protected].
 
Alternatively, anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 317-262-TIPS.
 
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INCIDENT TYPE:  Officers Stabbed and Officer-Involved Shooting
 
INCIDENT LOCATION:  1400 Fairfield Avenue
 
ASSIGNED DETECTIVE: Sergeant Michael Duke; 317-327-3475; [email protected]
 
Two officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) were stabbed and were involved in an officer-involved shooting on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at approximately 1:15 am, at 1400 Fairfield Avenue.  The information provided is preliminary and subject to change.
 
Shortly after 1:00 am, IMPD North District officers responded to a reported disturbance in the 1400 block of Fairfield Avenue.
 
After arriving, officers came into contact with an adult male who reported another individual was harassing him.  Officers told the male they would attempt to locate the person involved.  The officers turned, began walking away to continue the investigation, and were stabbed by the male complainant.  The male was armed with multiple knives which have been recovered at the scene. 
 
The two officers discharged their service weapons striking the suspect.  The officers were transported by other officers to Eskenazi Hospital in stable condition.
   
Officers provided the suspect with medical attention.  Indianapolis Emergency Medical Service (IEMS) responded to the scene and transported the suspect to Methodist Hospital and was most recently listed in stable condition.
 
No other officers or other citizens were injured during this incident.
 
Multiple officers had body-worn cameras which were activated at the time of the incident. 
 
The IMPD Critical Incident Response Team responded to the scene to conduct the criminal investigation. The Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency is assisting with this investigation.
 
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO) responded to the scene and is being consulted throughout the investigation. 
 
The Police Officer Support Team (POST) responded to provide peer support for officers.
 
A separate administrative investigation is being conducted by IMPD Internal Affairs. The officers who fired their guns have 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 use of deadly force against a person.  This occurs after the conclusion of the criminal process.
 
Detectives continue to canvass the area for witnesses and other evidence. Anyone with information is asked to call Sergeant Michael Duke at 317-327-3475 or by e-mail at [email protected].
 
Alternatively, anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 317-262-TIPS.
 
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