Full Notification

Update #2 (June 4, 2024)
 
Following the threat assessment related to the officer-involved shooting on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, in the 9100 block of Cavalier Ct, IMPD Chief Chris Bailey announced the officer involved as 7-year veteran Officer Austin Kirby. 
 
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 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.
 
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UPDATE #1 (May 29, 2024) Suspect Arrested in Carjacking that Led to Officer-Involved Shooting, Two Others Detained and Arrested for Unrelated Charges 

Immediately following the officer-involved shooting, Indiana Crime Guns Task Force (ICGTF) and IMPD Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) detectives began searching for the suspects.  IMPD Intelligence Analysts went to work scouring local traffic cameras and researching locations to help identify potential suspects.  Using several investigative techniques, including automatic license plate reader technology, detectives quickly located the suspect vehicle in the 300 block of North Shortridge Road.   

Detectives observed several individuals believed to be involved in the carjacking get into two separate vehicles and begin to drive away.  ICGTF detectives, with assistance from the East District Violence Reduction Team (VRT) and FBI Safe Streets Task Force, conducted a traffic stop in the 7500 block of E 10th Street.  An adult male, later identified as 20-year-old Joseph Dauda, was detained without incident.  IMPD Homicide Detectives interviewed Dauda about his potential involvement in the carjacking.  After consultation with the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO), Dauda was arrested for armed robbery. 

Detectives conducted a second traffic stop in the 1700 block of North Shadeland Avenue on a vehicle occupied by three additional individuals.  All three were detained without incident.  A strong odor of marijuana was coming from the vehicle, and, in plain view, detectives could see a rifle on the floorboard.  A further search of the vehicle produced approximately 15 grams of marijuana and a handgun magazine.  

The driver of the vehicle, 20-year-old Damoni Armstrong, was found to have been operating the vehicle on a suspended license with a prior conviction.  Upon a search incident to his arrest, detectives located a machine gun conversion device in Armstrong’s possession.   

IMPD homicide detectives interviewed Armstrong and both passengers about their possible involvement in the earlier armed carjacking.  

Following discussions with the MCPO, Armstrong was arrested for possession of a machine gun and a 17-year-old male was arrested for possession of marijuana.  The third male was released pending further investigation. 

Earlier today, the Marion County Coroner’s Office identified deceased suspect from yesterday’s incident as 20-year-old Jerrett Gray, Jr. 

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INCIDENT TYPE: Armed Carjacking Leads to Officer Involved Shooting  

INCIDENT LOCATION:   

2800 Block of North Post Road (Armed carjacking)  

9100 Cavalier Court (OIS)   

ASSIGNED DETECTIVE:  Sgt. Mark Prater, [email protected] 

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

The information provided is preliminary and subject to change.   

On Tuesday May 28th, 2024, just before 9 a.m. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) East District officers were dispatched to an armed carjacking at a gas station in the 2800 block of North Post Road. IMPD officers responded to the scene and spoke to the victim, who said one suspect approached her vehicle at gunpoint, demanding her car and other items.  Additional suspects remained in their vehicle while the carjacking took place.  

The suspects then fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle and their vehicle, a gray sedan.   

A description of the victim’s vehicle and the suspect’s vehicle was broadcasted to officers in the area. An officer, in full uniform and who was proactively searching the area in a marked vehicle, located the victim’s vehicle and the suspect’s vehicle in the 9100 block of Cavalier Court. 

The officer encountered a suspect and told him to “get on the ground”. That suspect did not follow the officer’s commands and began to run away toward the suspect’s gray sedan. The officer also told the suspect to “drop the gun.” As the suspect got near the gray sedan, the suspect dropped an item and went to grab it. That is when an officer involved shooting occurred.  A second suspect got into the passenger side of the gray sedan and the vehicle drove away. 

The initial suspect continued to run from the officer after the initial rounds were fired. The officer told the suspect to “drop it,” as the suspect ran on foot. During this encounter, there were two other, separate times when the officer fired his weapon.  At some point, the suspect was struck at least once. The suspect fell to the ground and responding officers provided the suspect with first aid.   

Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services (IEMS) transported that suspect to an area hospital, where he later passed away. 

No officers or uninvolved citizens were injured during this incident. 

Detectives located two firearms with extended magazines, one was equipped with a machine conversion device, near the suspect (photos of the firearms are attached).   

The officer was equipped with a body-worn camera, which was activated during this incident.  

The Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency responded to identify and collect potential forensic evidence.   

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

The Marion County Coroner’s Office will be assisting and will determine the exact manner and cause of death. The Marion County Coroner’s Officer (MCCO) will release the decedent's name once a proper next-of-kin notification has been made.    

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 responded to assist with those involved. 

The IMPD Victims Assistance unit responded to assist officers and detectives.    

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

Case Numbers – IP240049088, IP240049121, IP240049299