Full Notification

UPDATE #3 (October 12, 2023) 

As is the standard practice for these types of incidents, IMPD produced a critical incident video for this officer-involved shooting.  The video was completed and set to be released in the near future.  On October 3, 2023, the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office filed a Motion for a Protective Order Regarding Discovery and the court granted the motion the same day.  The court order prohibits anyone with access to video footage from sending, duplicating, exhibiting, printing, distributing, selling, reproducing, or copying any of the footage.    

Chief Taylor remains committed to transparency while also respecting the criminal justice process and the law. Unless and until the Court’s Order is modified to allow for public release, the critical incident video will not be released to the public until the criminal case has concluded. 

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UPDATE #2

Following a threat assessment related to the officer-involved shooting on Friday, September 1, 2023, in the 100 block of W. Raymond Street., IMPD Chief Randal Taylor identified the officer's involved as 21-year veteran Officer Zachary Taylor and 15-year veteran Officer Scott Hartman.

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
 
INCIDENT TYPE:  Business Break-in Alarm Leads to Officer Involved Shooting 
                                               
INCIDENT LOCATION:  111 West Raymond Street 
  
ASSIGNED DETECTIVE:  Detective Scott Stauffer, [email protected]  
*Media inquiries should be made to [email protected]* 
The information provided is preliminary and subject to change.  
 
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Critical Incident Response Team identified the suspect as 24-year-old Brandon Ramirez.
 
Ramirez was arrested under case number IP230086589 for burglary, resisting law enforcement and cruelty to a law enforcement animal, pending additional charges after review by the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. Additionally, Ramirez remains in the hospital.
 
An arrest is merely an accusation.  The suspect should be considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.  
 
K-9 Ringo had surgery earlier today. He had three stab wounds. He is current in stable but at risk condition. He will be closely monitored for the next 48-72 hours. (A photo of Ringo is attached)


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INCIDENT TYPE:  Business Break-in Alarm Leads to Officer Involved Shooting 

INCIDENT LOCATION:  111 West Raymond Street 

ASSIGNED DETECTIVE:  Detective Scott Stauffer, [email protected]  

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

The information provided is preliminary and subject to change. 

On September 1, 2023, just before 8:00 p.m., Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Southwest District Officers were called to Greene’s Auto and Truck Service located at 111 West Raymond Street for a business break-in alarm.  

While officers were responding, dispatchers notified officers that a business representative said he could see someone at the front desk inside the business and no one was supposed to be inside. The business representative had access to a live feed of a security camera inside the building. 

Within minutes of the initial call, officers arrived on the scene and began to set up a perimeter. Responding officers observed a broken glass front door and then K9 officers were requested to respond to the scene. 

At approximately 8:06 p.m. K9 officers approached the front glass door with a police service dog as the business alarm continued to go off. Before making entry, K9 officers gave verbal commands to the suspect to surrender to police.  

A business representative provided keys to K9 officers, who used the keys to make entry into the building. After entering the exterior glass door, officers moved into the lobby area, where they observed a second shattered glass door. K9 officers used the keys once again to open that door and make entry into the office space.  

At that point, K9 officers observed the suspect near the front desk of the business. K9 officers gave repeated commands to surrender in English and Spanish, but the suspect did not comply. 

One K9 officer then entered the inner office door to get a different tactical position while continuing to give verbal commands. A police service dog, Ringo, was then released, engaged the suspect and at some point, K9 Ringo was stabbed by the suspect at least once.  At least one K9 officer discharged their service weapon, striking the suspect at least once. 

As the suspect was down on the ground, the K9 officers continued to give verbal commands for the suspect to surrender. The suspect did not comply and got back to his feet and walked towards the front desk.  

At that point, a K9 officer deployed a taser and the suspect fell to the ground. K9 officers were then able to get the suspect into custody.  

Officers provided medical aid to the suspect until medics arrived.  Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services (IEMS) arrived and transported the individual to an area hospital, where he is in stable condition.  

K9 officers transported K9 Ringo to an emergency vet and is breathing on his own in stable condition.  

Officers located a knife next to the suspect (photos of the knife are attached).  

The suspect has been preliminary arrested for burglary, resisting law enforcement and cruelty to a law enforcement animal, pending additional charges after review by the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO) responded to the scene to assist in the investigation. 

The 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. 

No officers or uninvolved citizens were injured as a result of this incident.  Detectives are confident there is no ongoing threat to the community.  

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 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 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. 

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

Case Number – IP230086565