Full Notification

UPDATE #2

Following a threat assessment related to the officer-involved shooting on Sunday, August 27, 2023, in the 4500 block of Woodland Drive., IMPD Chief Randal Taylor identified the officer involved as 28-year veteran Lt John Perkins.

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 Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency to ensure a fair and thorough investigation is completed.
 
A separate internal investigation is being conducted by IMPD’s Internal Affairs Unit 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 hearing for any use of deadly force against a person.  The Use of Force Review Board will make an advisory finding related to this incident which will be limited to determining whether the officer’s actions were within departmental policy. This occurs after the conclusion of the criminal process.

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UPDATE #1: Earlier today, the Marion County Coroner’s Office identified the deceased male as 40-year-old Kendall Darnell Gilbert.
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INCIDENT TYPE: Male Making Threats with Machete Leads to Officer-Involved Shooting 

INCIDENT LOCATION:  4500 Woodland Drive  

ASSIGNED DETECTIVE:   Erika Jones, [email protected]  

*Media inquiries should be made to [email protected]* 

The information provided is preliminary and subject to change. 

Here is a timeline of events that led up to this officer-involved shooting: 

On Friday August 25th, 2023, around 2:45 p.m.   Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Officers responded to a home in the 4500 block of Woodland Drive for a report of a check the welfare of a male. The caller stated the male was schizophrenic and was sending out strange messages to family. No report was made.  

On Saturday August 26th, 2023, around 1:30 a.m. IMPD officers responded to the same home on Woodland Drive for reports of the male suspect who was destroying property in his bedroom. The caller stated the male refused to open door for family. Officers believed the male was not a danger to others and no report was made. 

Later that day, around 8:30 p.m. IMPD officers responded to that same home for reports of a male experiencing a mental episode and threatening to decapitate family members. The male was still barricaded in a room. Officers assisted getting family members out of house and provided them with information about mental health resources. 

On Sunday August 27th, 2023, around 5:20 p.m. IMPD received a call at the same home from a family member saying their brother was hallucinating and stating he would burn house down and. Officers spoke with caller and told the family member to leave residence. 

Later that evening, around 6:45 p.m., officers responded to a check the welfare call at the same address of a woman after she pushed her medical button stating someone was trying to kill her. When officers responded to the scene, they found the adult male outside near the home’s front door. As officers approached, they observed the male to have a machete and was making threats toward officers. Officers were able to help the other family members out of the house. 

The IMPD Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team and the Crisis Negotiation Unit responded to the scene. Crisis Negotiators were able to make contact with the male and speak with him. A psychologist with the Crisis Negotiation Unit was on scene and assisting. Multiple negotiators spoke with the male; however, negotiators were not able to have any meaningful conversation. 

At approximately 9:10 pm members of the SWAT team utilized a distraction device and multiple less lethal devices. Less lethal rounds used were bean bag rounds, taser, and pepper ball. This was in an attempt to take the male into custody without using deadly force. Officers reported the male moved towards officers with the machete in his hand and physically made contact with a ballistics shield an officer was holding.  One member of the SWAT team discharged his firearm striking the male at least once. SWAT medics were on scene and immediately provided medical treatment. The male was then transported by Pike medics to Eskenazi Hospital, where he later passed away. 

Detectives located a machete and knife on scene. (see photos) 

No uninvolved citizens 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 Coroner’s Office (MCCO) will be assisting and will determine the exact manner and cause of death. MCCO will release the decedent's names once a proper next-of-kin notification has been made. 

The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO) responded to the scene to assist in the investigation. 

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 and Victims Assistance responded to assist with those involved. 

Anyone with information is asked to call. Detective Sergeant Erika Jones at the homicide office by calling 317-327-3475.  Alternatively, anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 317-262-TIPS. 

Case Number – IP230084642