Full Notification

UPDATE #2 (October 31, 2023)

Following a threat assessment related to the officer-involved shooting on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at 2500 Columbia Ave, IMPD Chief Randal Taylor identified the officer involved as 5-year veteran Patrol Officer Gunnar Gossett.  
 
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 that 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.

Additional information about the IMPD Body Worn Camera program can be found at the link below:
 https://www.indy.gov/activity/body-worn-camera-program

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UPDATE #1 The suspect, identified as 35-year-old Darcel Edwards, has been pronounced deceased. 

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INCIDENT TYPE:  Shots Fired/Vehicle Fleeing Traffic Stop Leads to Officer-Involved Shooting  

INCIDENT LOCATION: 2500 Columbia Ave   

ASSIGNED DETECTIVE:  Detective Sergeant Michael Duke; [email protected] 

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

This information is preliminary and subject to change. 

On Tuesday, October 24, 2023, just after 4:00 am, an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) officer heard shots fired and was canvassing the area when he conducted a traffic stop in at E 25th St and Park Ave of a vehicle driving at a high rate of speed. The driver, an adult male, initially exited the vehicle and made a comment about another vehicle hitting his car.  The officer told the driver to not get back into the car.  The driver then got back into the car and fled from the traffic stop eastbound on E 25th St.  The officer, who conducted the initial stop drove eastbound on E 25th St in the direction the vehicle fled, but the officer was not in vehicle pursuit.  The initial officer located the suspect vehicle crashed on the northeast corner of E 25th St and Columbia Ave.   

The suspect ran westbound and was located in a tree behind houses on the west side of the street.  Officers told the suspect to get down from the tree.  The suspect told officers he was not going to come down.  Officers told the suspect to show them his hands and stop reaching in his pockets.  The suspect repeatedly told officers to shoot him and made other statements to the officers about a medical condition and his well-being. The suspect said, “I’m going to my pocket then, kill me.”  One officer discharged his firearm. 

Officers provided medical attention until Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services (IEMS) arrived.  IEMS transported the suspect to Methodist Hospital in critical condition.      

Officers located a gun holster on the suspect.  A gun has not been located at this point. 

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

Multiple officers on scene were equipped with a body-worn camera during this incident which were activated.  

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.  

IMPD Internal Affairs is conducting a separate administrative investigation. The officer who fired his firearm 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 responded to assist those involved.  

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

Case Number – IP230105375