On Thursday, April 6, 2023, just after 3:30 am, IMPD East District officers were dispatched to the 8100 block of Braeburn N. Dr. on a report of a possible theft in progress. When they arrived, a community member flagged down officers and pointed officers towards a grey car. Officers then observed the grey car drive in reverse and strike a vehicle before the vehicle fled the scene. The fleeing vehicle left the road and entered a grassy area before re-entering the roadway eastbound on E. 21st St.
Officers attempted a traffic stop on the grey car; however, the driver refused to stop, and led officers on a pursuit. The pursuit was terminated in Hancock County out of concerns for public safety.
As officers were returning to their district, several calls were received on reports of shots fired into an apartment on Braeburn. This was the same area that officers observed the grey vehicle. Within the hour, the suspect vehicle returned to Marion County and was located by district officers. Officers followed but did not pursue the vehicle. As officers were following the car it crashed into a tree, four suspects ran from the vehicle and the suspects led officers on a foot pursuit.
During the foot pursuit, officers witnessed one of the suspects drop a backpack. Officer quickly established a perimeter and requested IMPD K9 and drone officers for additional support. The drone was activated and immediately located two suspects hiding behind houses just west of the crashed car. K9 officers apprehended both suspects.
A community member called 911 and reported seeing a possible suspect run behind their house near E. 12th St. and N. Post Rd. Again, the drone was able to quickly locate the third suspect as he jumped a fence into a storage unit near E. 10th St. and N. Post Rd. K9 officers transitioned to the location and apprehended that suspect without further incident. Officers did not locate the fourth suspect.
Officers visually checked the car from the outside and observed a handgun in plain sight. The discarded backpack had a total of four handguns inside, one gun had a machine gun conversion device, and another gun was a draco.
Thanks to the outstanding work from district officers, K9 officers, and drone operators who quickly responded to provide support. Their actions, along with the assistance from multiple community members, resulted in three suspects arrested. This investigation and community cooperation resulted in five handguns being taken off the street of Indianapolis. East District’s Violence Reduction Team (VRT) responded and took over investigation. Officers located several shell casings as well as an apartment and multiple vehicles with damage from the shots fired incident. There is no known threat to the public at this time.
Detective arrested 19-year-old Tishawn Godfrey, 18-year-old Terrell Wilson and a 17-year-old male for various charges including criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, resisting law enforcement in the vehicle, resisting law enforcement by fleeing on foot and possession of a machine gun.
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO) will review the case and make the final charging decisions.
Anyone with information about this incident should contact Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317.262.8477 or (TIPS).
